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"He Didn't Listen To Me": Joe Root On Ben Stokes' Determination For A Win At Lord's

Soumyajit Dutta

Ben Stokes and Joe Root [Source: @ICC/X.com]Ben Stokes and Joe Root [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Ben Stokes delivered an extraordinary all-round performance to inspire England's thrilling 22-run victory over India at Lord's, putting his team 2-1 up in the series. The captain bowled marathon spells, scored crucial runs, and effected a key run-out across both innings, embodying resilience.

Stokes pushed his body to the limit, bowling a total of 44 overs, his heaviest workload in over six years, despite suffering two serious hamstring injuries in the past year. This included demanding spells of 9.2 and 10 overs on the decisive final day, taking a physical toll. Teammate Joe Root, Stokes' predecessor as captain, expressed awe at his determination.

Root On Stokes' Adamant Nature

Joe Root, once Stokes' captain and now his teammate, was surprised and was moved by the determination that Stokes showed on the field.

"You can try, but it doesn't make any difference. I tried for five years. I mentioned it but he doesn't always listen to me. He didn't listen to me when I was captain!" Root said while speaking to BBC.

Root highlighted Ben Stokes' innate drive while calling themselves 'lucky' to have him as their leader.

"That's his call now. It was an incredible effort to be able to do that, but that's just how he's built, I guess. He's just desperate to be the man and make things happen. It's a great sign for us moving forward, it really is, because that's back to his best. He's got that mentality and that desire to win games and we're lucky to have him as our leader," Root added.

Root Admits Panicking During Lord's Clash

Concerns grew during the match, with coach Brendon McCullum even sending a message via Tim Southee urging Stokes to rest. Joe Root admitted his own worry.

"I was just panicking that he wasn't going to make it through the game after a couple of bad injuries but he clearly trusts his body now. He knows what he's doing and he's got a good handle on where he's at physically," Root concluded.

Exhausted after his heroics, Stokes looked forward to recuperation before the fourth Test as he said, "I could not wait to just lie on my bed for four days and then be raring to go for (next week’s fourth Test at) Manchester." With England leading the series now 2-1, a high-stakes clash for India awaits at Manchester from July 23.