We’re capable of scoring more than 300 on a wicket like this: Ben Stokes

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has admitted that the way the visitors batted was frustrating but also defended the team selection. England were bundled out for 205 in the first innings of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Stokes who top-scored with 55 said that the pitch is a better one as compared to the last match.

“We felt that seam isn’t going to offer as much in terms of being a threat, it’s more of a holding role,” Stokes said.

“It’s definitely a better wicket than the last Test match. I think as the day progressed, you could see that the ball started to spin more, and had more bounce…In the previous match, spinners claimed 28 of the 30 wickets that tumbled in five sessions.”

Stokes added that the side is capable of scoring more than 300 runs on this kind of a track.

“We’re more than capable of scoring more than 300 on a wicket like that out here, it’s frustrating,” Stokes added.

England trail the four-match series 1-2 and have been knocked out of the WTC after they lost the third match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India, on the other hand, need to either win or draw this game to make a place for themselves in the final of WTC.

But if the home side suffers a defeat in this match then Australia will march into the final and will be up against New Zealand in the title clash at Lord’s.

India ended Day 1 at 24/1 with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara still at the crease. Earlier, Axar Patel scalped four wickets while R Ashwin picked up three in the first innings.

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Ben Stokes abused me: Mohammed Siraj

India skipper Virat Kohli and England all-rounder Ben Stokes were seen indulging in a heated exchange of words during the first day of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj later revealed the reason behind the argument between the two after the end of day’s proceedings. Siraj told that Stokes had abused him during the match and he subsequently told it to Kohli who then had a chat with the England all-rounder about the same. "Ben Stokes gave me gali (abused me) so I told Virat bhai about that. Virat bhai handled it thereafter," Siraj said. The right-arm fast bowler picked some crucial wickets that included the dismissal of England captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Talking about the plan, Siraj said that though it is a batting track but being patient helped him scalp a couple of wickets. "It was a batting wicket, and it was coming onto the bat nicely, so we planned to bowl patiently and keep bowling at the same spot. Virat bhai told me that we have only two fast bowlers so we will keep rotating, and we will be well-rested," Siraj said at Stumps Day 1. "When I started bowling from the Reliance end, there was a little extra bounce and good movement from that end after I switched. When I played in Australia or when I play here, I will put my effort every ball otherwise it'll affect the team, and it'll release the pressure," Siraj added. India bowled out England for 205 in the first innings on Thursday and ended the day’s play at 24/1. Axar Patel bagged a four-wicket haul while R Ashwin picked up three wickets. India lead the four-match Test series 2-1. If the home side manages to win or draw this final Test then they will find a place for themselves in the final of the WTC to be played against New Zealand at Lord’s. But if India suffer a defeat in this Test then Australia will march into the final.