ENG vs IND: England skipper Ben Stokes reveals his Ashes 2025-26 ambitions after Oval Test heartbreak against India

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England suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the Oval, edged out by India by just 6 runs in a dramatic series-turnaround. The loss left the English camp in agony, with the five-match series ending in a 2-2 tie. Amidst the disappointment, England skipper Ben Stokes, one of the series’ standout performers, has already shifted his focus, sharing his ambitions for the upcoming Ashes series later this year.

Meanwhile, in the press conference, Stokes, who couldn’t play the decider game against India at the Oval, said he was bitterly disappointed and admitted it’s always tough not to be out there. However, he expressed pride in the fight his team showed and acknowledged that such games can go either way. Reflecting on the series performance, he added that he’s looking forward to heading to Australia and achieving their goals there.

“Bitterly disappointed t’s always tough not to be out there. But I’m so proud of the fight the boys showed. These games go. The way in which we’ve been able to perform throughout the series, I’m looking forward to getting to Australia and doing what we want to go out there and do.” Stokes said.

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Stokes further noted that when one of their bowlers went down early in the game, it changed the role of the remaining seamers. He praised the heart and desire the team showed in the second innings and reflected on the many “what-ifs” over the five days, which he said is what makes the game special. He added that all he and coach Brendon McCullum had asked from the players was to give their all something Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton certainly did.

“When one of your bowlers goes down so early in the game, the role of the other seamers changes, Even in the second innings, the heart and desire they showed was amazing. There were many what-ifs in the last five days, makes the game great, but all Brendon and I asked was to give it everything. Tongue, Atkinson and Overton showed it,” Stokes concluded.

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