STOKES: NO LET UP ON ENGLAND’S NEW ATTACKING APPROACH IN TEST AGAINST INDIA

sportsdesk@hindustantimes.com LEEDS: England will go into Friday’s re-arranged Test against India with the same aggressive approach to their batting as they displayed in their 3-0 series win over New Zealand, said captain Ben Stokes.

A new era under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum has been characterised by a swashbuckling style and England have reaped immediate rewards with a clean sweep of their Tests against New Zealand, who are the world Test champions.

While England have gained momentum, it will be a big challenge for India after playing just one practice game.

“Trust me when I say that we’ll be coming out with exactly the same mindset even if it’s a different opposition,” Stokes said after England’s comprehensive seven wicket victory at Headingley on Monday.

“For me, when I took over the job, it was more than the 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 then the result will look after itself. That we’ve done it so quickly is just unbelievable,” added Stokes, who was particularly pleased with the buy-in from his team mates after taking over from Joe Root.

Brief scores: NZ 329 and 326. England 360 and 296/3 (J Root 86*, J Bairstow 71*). England won by seven wickets.

Mayank cover for Rohit

Opener Mayank Agarwal has been called up to join the India squad as cover for skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been rendered doubtful for the Test after testing positive for Covid-19.

Rohit played on the first day of the drawn warm-up game against Leicestershire before being placed under isolation.

“Mayank is flying today and if need be, he will be available for the Test as UK Covid protocols don’t require any quarantine period on landing if RT-PCR test is negative,” a BCCI official said.