India vs England: Ben Stokes-led England team set to face a tough challenge

Former England captain Michael Atherton has expressed concerns over Ben Stokes’ next major challenge as skipper — lifting his team’s morale ahead of the third Test at Lord’s after suffering a crushing defeat at Edgbaston. India thrashed England by a massive 336 runs in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, levelling the five-match series 1-1 and shifting the momentum firmly in their favour. Atherton pointed out that while Stokes has excelled in instilling confidence and fearlessness in the England side, the true test of leadership lies in managing setbacks and reigniting self-belief within the camp after a demoralising loss. The heavy defeat has not only dented England’s confidence but also exposed key weaknesses, especially in the batting department against India’s potent pace attack.

India vs England: Can England take the series lead at the Lord's?

Heading into the series, there was a sense of complacency in some quarters, with media and former players focusing more on the upcoming Ashes series against Australia. Many viewed the India series as a warm-up or stepping stone. But India’s dominant display at Edgbaston has flipped that narrative, underlining the importance and competitiveness of the ongoing contest.

Now, with three matches remaining, including the historic Lord’s Test, England can no longer afford to look ahead. Atherton believes Stokes must rally his troops and refocus their energy on the immediate task — taking on a confident Indian side that has proven it can dominate in English conditions. The upcoming Lord’s Test now looms large as a pivotal moment for both teams in the context of the series.

“In the three years that Ben Stokes has captained England, it is hard to think that he has faced a sterner challenge than over the next two days, as he contemplates how to lift his players for the third Test at Lord’s. It will be a massive test of his leadership, and his own mental and physical resilience,” former England captain Michael Atherton wrote in his The Times column.

Michael Atherton emphasized the crucial importance of the two-day gap before the third Test at Lord’s, calling it a defining period for Ben Stokes and his leadership. With the series now evenly poised at 1-1 following India’s commanding win at Edgbaston, Atherton believes England’s ability to reset mentally will play a major role in how they bounce back. He noted that the days leading up to the next match offer England the opportunity to reflect, regroup, and rethink their strategy — something he feels is urgently needed.

Atherton also drew attention to Stokes’ own remarks before the Edgbaston Test, pointing out how those words now contrast sharply with England’s underwhelming performance. According to him, the heavy 336-run defeat wasn’t just a bad day at the office but a direct consequence of the team’s overly aggressive approach — a “punishment,” as he described it, for not adapting their style to the situation. He added that England's tactics, while often entertaining, need to be more flexible, especially against top-quality sides like India.

“It is not hard to imagine, then, how he must be feeling now. There was a gap of seven days between the first and second Tests... The three days that Stokes used to shut himself off from the world after Leeds for his own benefit, are essentially the days he must use now to rally his players. His workload at Edgbaston was not dissimilar,” Atherton wrote.

“He spent 25 overs longer in the field; he bowled nine overs fewer and batted 16 minutes less. Defeat, of course, exacerbates matters. If he was feeling knackered after a win at Leeds and with a seven-day break, how must he have been feeling on Monday morning with the Lord’s Test three days away?,” he added.

Jofra Archer is steadily progressing on his comeback journey from injury, offering England a potential boost ahead of the crucial Lord’s Test. Alongside him, fellow fast bowler Gus Atkinson is also nearing full fitness after being out for six weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained during the series against Zimbabwe. Atkinson’s return could prove vital for England, particularly given his exceptional record at Lord’s. In just two Test matches at the iconic venue, the young pacer has picked up 19 wickets at a phenomenal average of 10.94. With England aiming to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Edgbaston, the addition of fit and in-form quicks like Atkinson and possibly Archer could significantly strengthen their bowling attack.