Ind vs Eng 3rd Test: Lord’s beckons as Ben Stokes looks to break lean run, forgets past laurels

Ben Stokes (Pic: AFP)

England captain Ben Stokes insists he isn't clinging to past glories as he prepares to lead his side into the crucial third Test against India at Lord's, starting July 10.

Reflecting on his heroic 155 against Australia at the same ground during the 2023 Ashes, Stokes was quick to brush aside any nostalgia. "That was two years ago, so pretty over that now," Stokes remarked at the pre-match press conference.

With the series delicately balanced at 1-1, Stokes remains hopeful of rediscovering his batting touch. "Hopefully the score is around the corner," he said, hinting at the prospect of a much-needed big innings to steady England's campaign.

For India, morale couldn't be higher. They arrive at Lord's with an enviable recent record, having won two of their last three Tests at the storied venue. That success stands in stark contrast to Stokes' modest returns in the current series, where he has managed only 86 runs across four innings, with a highest score of 33. He has, however, contributed with the ball, claiming six wickets, including a four-wicket burst at Leeds.

Stokes' batting form has been under scrutiny for some time. In 16 Tests since the start of last year, he has amassed just 697 runs at an average of 26.81, managing five half-centuries with a top score of 80. It's a return that does little justice to his immense talent and reputation for delivering under pressure.

Yet Lord's could provide the perfect stage for a revival. The England skipper boasts an impressive record at the ‘Home of Cricket', where he has scored 843 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 44.36, including three centuries and five fifties. His best at the ground remains that dazzling 155 against Australia, a reminder of the heights he is capable of reaching.

Stokes' overall record against India, however, tells a different story. In 22 Tests, he has compiled 1,058 runs at a modest average of 24.60, with just one century and five half-centuries. Those numbers underline the challenge he faces against an Indian attack that has often kept him in check.

(With ANI inputs)