Ahead of the 3rd Test against India at Lord’s, Jasprit Bumrah’s hype irritates Ben Stokes, because Bumrah’s presence will be exciting for the fans in the upcoming Test. After a big loss at Edgbaston, all the attention has turned to Bumrah’s possible return. However, Stokes is wary of the ongoing discussions regarding the Indian fast bowler.
At a recent press conference, Stokes seemed a bit annoyed. He stated, “I thought I’d get through a press conference without being asked about Jasprit Bumrah.” It was clear he wanted to change the focus away from just one player.
Stokes also reminded fans that England has been through tough times before. He said, “We’ve had great wins and tough losses. We’re good at staying calm in both situations.”
He explained that England has been training hard. They try to copy Bumrah’s style in practice using tools like sidearms and wide angles. However, Stokes also admitted that real Test matches are different, and nothing can fully prepare a team for what happens on the field.
In the second Test at Edgbaston, India rested Bumrah, but they still won by a huge margin. Mohammed Siraj and debutant Akash Deep destroyed England’s batting. Because of this, Stokes believes the attention on Bumrah is too much, especially when India’s whole bowling attack is doing well. India is now likely to bring Jasprit Bumrah back for the third Test match at Lord’s. But Stokes made it clear that England need to focus on their own game, not just on stopping one Indian bowler.
Stokes also gave an update about Jofra Archer. The team is training with the fast bowler again, but they have not yet decided on his inclusion.
It depends on how he feels and whether his body is ready for Test cricket again. England will take their time before deciding.
Some individuals believe that Ben Stokes’ remarks could be a strategic move. By responding emphatically, he may be attempting to relieve some pressure from his team and redirect the media’s focus. In significant games like this, having the right mindset is equally crucial as having skill.
Although Jasprit Bumrah’s hype irritates Ben Stokes, his words reveal more than just frustration. He wants to keep his team focused, keep the team away from distractions, and get ready to fight back at the Lord’s Test. At this point, the only thing that counts is what occurs on the field.
