ENG vs IND 2025: 'We won't purposely start sledging, but won't back down either' - Ben Stokes

There have been quite a few instances of the Indian players and English players getting involved in altercations during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The third Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London saw several instances of verbal battles between the two teams.

Shubman Gill gave Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett a mouthful as the two England batters were trying to take time out of the Test match at the fag end of Day 3. Mohammed Siraj also got involved in a heated altercation with the opening batters, and he was subsequently handed a fine. On Day 5, Jofra Archer gave Rishabh Pant a fiery send-off, while Brydon Carse and Ravindra Jadeja got into an argument after they collided into each other inadvertently.

At the pre-match press conference ahead of the fourth Test, which takes place at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting on Wednesday, July 23, Ben Stokes said that things can often get heated during such a long series. He also stated that both teams are under immense pressure, and sometimes that influences their behaviour on the field.

"I don't think it's one of those things where we're going to necessarily just go out and start at it. I don't think either teams, you know, really look to do that. I think there's just always going to be a moment in a Test series where something does heat up, it's a massive series," Stokes said.

"There's a lot of pressure on both teams to go out and perform. So, look the environment when you're out there. Obviously, there's gonna be some moments and some heat showing. Obviously, that night when Zak and Ben had to go out just sort of started it off and we had the advantage of bowling last in a Test match to win. So we just threw everything that we possibly could at India, not only with our skills but also with their energy in the field as well," the England skipper added.

We won't take a backstep: Stokes

Stokes was reminded of Harry Brook's comments about coach Brendon McCullum saying that England were too nice. The talismanic all-rounder said it was a nice moment for the team as they gelled together, but reiterated that his team is not going to start sledging India because it could take their focus off the game. However, he mentioned that the Three Lions are going to give it back if India stir the pot.

"It was a real nice moment I think as a team that, when you speak about something like that, and then everyone buys into that. As I said, it's not something that we're gonna purposely go out and look to start again because then that'll take our focus off what we need to do out in the middle. But by no means that, we're not going to take a backward step and let the opposition try and be confrontational towards us and not try and give a bit back. I think that goes for most teams, to be honest anyway, so it's not like we're the only team who does that," said Stokes.