'You are going to face an England team where Joe Root is back to his absolute best, where Oliver Pope is playing his best-ever for England. Ben Stokes has amalgamated the team and got playing in an ultra-positive and rock and roll fashion.'
For Michael Vaughan, Pep Guardiola is the best sporting leader in the last 15 years and the former England skipper won't mind if Ben Stokes employs Manchester City manager's approach of never allowing players to take their places for granted.
England skipper Root has said he could miss the series opener believes the side would still be in good hands, with vice-captain Stokes well-equipped to take the reins.
India is staring down the barrel on Day 2 of the fourth Test against England in Ranchi. Not only the team, but even former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was also forced to admit on air that the hosts are missing the services of Virat Kohli.
Root shared an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 120 for the sixth wicket with Ben Foakes
James Anderson says he still has to show he deserves his spot in the England Test squad ahead of the home summer but the 41-year-old seamer believes he is in the "best shape" of his life.
But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster ripped apart Pakistan's middle order.
Ben Stokes' first big decision as captain will be to name his team along with coach Chris Silverwood and there are tricky choices to be made with his bowling attack.
With over 50,000 ardent fans proudly sporting their Team India jerseys, the atmosphere was electric as they rallied behind skipper Rohit Sharma and his team
Kuldeep Yadav wrecked England's top order and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin polished off the tail to bundle out England in just over two sessions.
Jos Buttler made a scathing assessment of the HPCA Stadium outfield, terming it as 'poor'
Ben Stokes hit his 11th ODI half century as he guided England to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the second game of their five-match series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.
'I know how hard he has worked to try to get back fit and I hope it is not too bad and he can get back as soon as possible.'
Images from Day 3 of the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Two wickets from successive balls in Ben Stokes's third over removed Quinton de Kock (5) and Faf du Plessis (0) and ended faint South Africa hopes of mounting a rearguard action in pursuit of their nominal target of 492.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between England and the West Indies, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Friday.
Ben Stokes is expected to make his long-awaited England return in a one-day international against New Zealand on Sunday.
An fine all-round display by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler's late assault with the bat ended England's long losing streak against Australia as the visitors won the fourth One-Day International by 57 runs in Perth.
After Stokes's heroics with the bat had helped England score 330 for six in their 50 overs, South Africa needed 10 runs from the last 10 balls of their innings with five wickets remaining, but an excellent final over from Wood that cost just four runs sealed victory.
'The strength of this England team is just how many people contribute. That is why they are a great team,' says Daren Sammy, the only captain to have won the T20 World Cup twice.
India consolidated their second spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standing following their five-wicket win against Ben Stokes' England in the fourth Test at Ranchi on Monday.
Prior to the tour, England had won only two Tests in Pakistan and it was their first series win in the country since 2000-2001.
England were in command on 30/1 at tea after bowling West Indies out for 121 on the opening day of the first Test.
Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell feels England under Ben Stokes will give India tough competition.
England skipper Ben Stokes' direct hit to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja wasn't just the turning point of the first Test but could also be one that decides the course of the series as India's No 1 all-rounder across formats was seen struggling with a hamstring niggle.
Following England's 28-run win over India in the first Test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, former cricketer Monty Panesar said that Rohit Sharma was 'clueless.'
Former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel said people cite the 'spirit of the game' when they don't like a dismissal under the laws of cricket.
'A stunning display from England's man of the summer makes him the inaugural winner of The Wisden Trophy, awarded for the outstanding Test performance of the year,' Wisden Cricket announced on their Twitter handle.
The British media's 'no love lost' attitude towards Virat Kohli was evident once again as they questioned the Indian captain's exchange of words with Ben Stokes after the latter's dismissal but performer of the day Jonny Bairstow was in no mood to fan the fire.
A relieved Joe Root said the England Test captaincy had taken a toll on his personal health after he guided his side to a memorable five-wicket win against New Zealand on Sunday in his first match since relinquishing the role.
To avoid the ignominy of missing the cut for the prestigious Champions Trophy, England must win their remaining two fixtures against the Netherlands and Pakistan.
England's Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow struck half centuries to guide the hosts to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth one-day international in Leeds on Thursday as they went 4-0 ahead in the five-match series.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test played at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday
Stokes is also among the Test Cricket of the Year nominees alongside compatriot Jonny Bairstow, Australia opener Usman Khawaja and South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada.
Victory for England would see them take the series, which is poised at 1-1.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 4th Test played between India and England in Ranchi on Friday.
The touring England team will head back to their pre-series base, Abu Dhabi, for a much-needed break during which Ben Stokes and Co. will also indulge in some golf before returning to India in time for the third Test in Rajkot, starting from February 10.
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