We Have Got Plans For All Indian Batters: Ben Stokes

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has been unstoppable in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. The right-handed batter has slammed 585 runs across four innings at an average of 146.25, with a highest score of 269, which came in the second Test at Edgbaston. 

Gill has already broken many records and could break a lot more if England don’t come up with a proper plan against him in the remaining three Tests.

"Yeah, look, we’ve got plans for all the Indian batters. But good players are allowed to play well — and he’s (Gill) played very well in the first two games," said England captain Ben Stokes ahead of the third Test at Lord's, starting on July 10 (Thursday).

One thing that could work in England’s favour is the return of Jofra Archer. The right-arm paceman will feature in the third Test and has a stunning record against Gill. Archer has dismissed Gill five times across all formats and has an average of less than 11 against him.

Archer is making his return to the England Test XI after 1596 days. He played a first-class game for Sussex ahead of the second Test and bowled 18 overs, picking up one wicket. He was included in the squad for the Edgbaston Test, but England decided to stick with the same XI.

"I think the way he’s (Jofra Archer) handled the injury setbacks over that period has been very commendable, and the way he’s got himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period now — it’s impressive,” said Stokes.

“It was exciting to have him back in the squad and in contention last week, but now that we can say he's in the playing XI, it's very exciting for the group. I think it’s a pretty great day. Jofra's going to be very proud of himself for managing to get back here after two major injury scares.

"When you get to this stage with back-to-back Test matches, it feels like the right time to bring in some fresh legs. It’s exciting that we have the ability to call on someone like Jofra. I think whenever he’s played for England — even in the shorter format — it’s obvious that the moment he gets the ball in hand, there's a change in the game. I think the opposition feels it too, because they know what he’s capable of.”

It's no secret that Stokes likes chasing. He opted to bowl first in both Tests after winning the toss. While they did end up chasing 371 in the first Test, India completely batted them out of the contest in the second game. England lost the game by 336. 

Stokes, however, made it clear that he is happy to bat first if the conditions are right. "We are not stuck in our ways about it. I want to make that clear. It's something that's been built up. We bowled first at Edgbaston because there were decent overhead conditions, but that soon changed; the clouds broke off and the sun came out. I'm not the Met Office, so I can't tell what's going to happen after 10.30 AM.

"Lord's is meant to be really hot this week. If that is the case and the sun is out, blazing, I think whoever wins the toss will end up doing the same thing. Because we've had good success at chasing down totals in the fourth innings, it doesn't mean that's our preference… It's not a tactic of ours to consistently bowl, if we win the toss.

"There's nothing whatsoever to say we are stuck in our ways, but because we are very confident in our ability to get ourselves into a position in a Test match to be able to chase down a total in the fourth innings, I guess that's why, if it is slightly bowler-friendly conditions in the morning, why we might mentally look to do that."