England will be playing India in the Edgbaston Test from Friday. Meanwhile, skipper Ben Stokes has warned about England's aggressive mindset in the Test.
England is all set to lock horns with India to finish the five-Test Pataudi Trophy series that began last year. While it is trailing the series 1-2, the final Test at Old Trafford in Manchester was postponed after a COVID outbreak in the Indian camp. Now, the Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from Friday, while the hosts would leave no stones unturned to square the series. England is coming off a 3-0 clean sweep against World Test champions New Zealand at home. In the same light, English skipper Ben Stokes has warned of his side heading into the Test with an aggressive mindset.
"Trust me when I say this. We'll be coming out with the same [aggressive] mindset, even though it's a different opposition. It's going to be a completely different opposition, with its attack and players. We'll concentrate on what we've done well over these last three games and look to continue that against India on Friday," said Stokes after completing the NZ whitewash on Monday in his Test captaincy debut series.
Further speaking on the NZ win, Stokes remarked, "To walk away with a 3-0 series win over the best team in the world is a pretty impressive start. I've got to show a huge amount of testament to the team over these three games. They've been phenomenal."
"When I took over this job, it was more than results. It was about changing the mindset of the lads towards Test cricket, about having fun and enjoying the fact that you're out there representing your country, and the results look after themselves. But, saying that we've done it so quickly is unbelievable. I can only do so much, so I've got to show a huge amount of credit to Brendon [McCullum] because he's come in and influenced this group," stated Stokes.