Animated and aggressive body language might work well for Virat Kohli and his Indian team but that doesn’t have a bearing on England’s modus operandi, said their premier all-rounder Ben Stokes.
The question was in reference to India captain Kohli’s aggressive in your face demeanour while fielding or celebrating a fall of wicket.
“Every team and every player has a certain way of operating in the field, which makes them successful. As a team over the last four-five years, that’s not the way that works for us,” Stokes said on the eve of their must-win second ODI.
“We stick to what we do best and what we make is to build a better side. Each team is entitled to their own way of operations. India have their and we have ours,” te dashing all-rounder said.
Asked whether he preferred a “nice or spiky” Virat, Stokes gave a smart reply: “Personally, I prefer Virat doesn’t get runs, because that’s not good for us."
After their 66-run loss in the first ODI, England risk of being usurped for their No 1 ranking but Stokes said it’s not their driving force.
“We deserve to be No 1 because of our results and how we played our cricket and we won’t go away from that. Being No 1 is obviously a fantastic thing to have next to your name as a team, but it’s not our driving force.
“Our driving force is the way that we go about it and our attitude towards playing the game. And that’s what’s made us be successful, and the more successful we are obviously the more chance and the more opportunity we’ve got to be at No 1.”
With twin injury blows to Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings, England may hand a debut to Liam Livingstone and Stokes is confident that a “fearless” Livingstone would embrace the opportunity if picked for the second ODI.