“I’ve never seen something like that before” – Captain Ben Stokes gets surprised by Ranchi pitch ahead of IND vs ENG 4th Test.

England captain Ben Stokes expressed his puzzlement regarding the pitch for the upcoming fourth Test against India in Ranchi, stating his inability to predict its behavior.

The 32-year-old remarked on the apparent presence of ample grass on the track, yet upon closer inspection, noted several cracks. In reflecting on previous matches, he acknowledged the considerable turn in the opening Test in Hyderabad, contrasting with the truer playing conditions experienced in Vishakhapatnam and Rajkot

Given England’s decision to field two specialist seamers in the preceding Test, Stokes highlighted the intrigue surrounding their team composition for the Ranchi match. Despite securing victory in the series opener in Hyderabad, England now faces pressure following consecutive losses in Vishakhapatnam and Rajkot, trailing 2-1.

Ben Stokes (to BBC) said “I’ve never seen something like that before. I have got no idea so I don’t know what could happen. If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India, it looked green and grassy up in the changing rooms, but then you go out there it looked different: very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it.”