Stokes plays down absence of Kohli, Rohit and Ashwin in India-England Tests: 'It is not going to be any easier for us'

England skipper Ben Stokes added that the home team will also not be obsessing over pace star Jasprit Bumrah, who isn't likely to play more than three matches in the upcoming Test series in the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. read more
England captain Ben Stokes felt the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin (not in picture) would not greatly reduce the threat that the Indian team would pose in the upcoming five-match Test series. Reuters/AFP
England captain Ben Stokes shut down conversations on the absence Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming five-match Test series against India on Thursday, stating that their absence will not greatly diminish the threat posed by the Shubman Gill-led visiting team.
While Ashwin had abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket in December halfway into the tour of Australia, Rohit and Kohli quit the Test format in the span of a week in May, more than a month before the five-Test series was to get underway.
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Stokes, however, said that while the iconic trio's presence will be missed, India's ability to produce 'ginormous' amount of cricketing talent generation after generation will help fill the gap in quick time.
'There's been a lot said about no Rohit, no Virat and no Ashwin, that doesn't mean that we think it's going to be any easier than what it ever is against India. The pool of talent that Indian cricket has is just ginormous,' the England captain told reporters on the eve of the first Test against India in Headingley.
'Although Virat, Rohit and Ashwin have done amazing things for their country on the field, that doesn't mean that whoever comes in to replace those individuals are going to be any less hard to bowl at or bat against, just because of how big the pool of talent is in India.
'We've spent a lot of time out at the IPL, so I know that there's a lot of it. Obviously, three massive names, three people who have done wonderful things for their country, but it is not going to be any easier for us because of those three big names out there,' the all-rounder added.
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Stokes also acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah, isn't likely to play more than three Tests thanks to his recent back injury, as a key threat in the opposition camp, but added that the home team isn't going to obsess over one individual in the marquee assignment.
'Bumrah leading their attack, he's a fantastic bowler but there (are) 11 players on the team, and it takes a team to win a game of cricket,' Stokes continued.
'But we know Bumrah is an amazing bowler all around the world. His record shows that, wherever he goes, he does well. We know Bumrah is going to be a threat, but we know that every other bowler that India has is also going to be a threat.
'Focusing on one individual over another isn't what we're going to be doing, but obviously, you pay respect to your opposition, and Jasprit Bumrah certainly is a fantastic bowler,' he added.
Would have been 'remarkable' to drop Pope: Stokes
Stokes also touched upon reports suggesting Ollie Pope was in danger of losing his place in the team, adding that it would have been 'remarkable' for him and head coach Brendon McCullum to drop someone who had scored a match-winning 171 against Zimbabwe just last month.
There were suggestions vice-captain Pope and rising star Jacob Bethell were vying for the same batting spot in the first game of a five-Test series at Headingley, starting on Friday.
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Bethell impressed on England's New Zealand tour in November and December before Pope underlined his credentials with a mammoth century during an innings victory against Zimbabwe last month.
Bethell missed that match, opting instead to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League.
Stokes, a loyal supporter of 27-year-old Pope, was emphatic in his backing of the batsman at a press conference on the eve of the match.
'The 'big selection' (idea) did not come from us,' he said. 'It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a 170, and that's pretty much all I need to say on that.
'Scoring 170 definitely doesn't do anyone any harm, but having him at number three since I've been captain over a three-year period, averaging over 40, it speaks for itself.'
Bethell, 21, has enormous talent and has impressed in all three international formats, though he is yet to score a century in professional cricket.
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The debate over how he fits into the Test side will continue to rage but Stokes believes Pope has the maturity to block out the noise.
'In this day and age it's very tough not to see all that speculation, just because of how easily accessible things are,' said the captain. 'You don't even have to go and hunt for it.
'But I think scoring 170 in his last Test match has sort of shown how well he's handled that extra scrutiny.'
England need to win 'enough games' to reach maiden WTC final, says Stokes
The match at Headingley signals the start of a new World Test Championship cycle, just days after South Africa defeated Australia in a memorable final at Lord's.
Stokes has been a longtime critic of the WTC's format, labelling it 'utterly confusing', and England will once again play the most Tests over the next two years.
Five-match series against India and Australia threaten to make England's bid to qualify for the 2027 showpiece harder, but Stokes believes he is better off concentrating on the task in front of him.
'If we win enough games of cricket, then we'll find ourselves there at the final at the World Test Championship,' said the all-rounder.
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The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the winners of the upcoming series would receive the new Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, named in honour of England's record wicket-taker and India's top run-scorer.
'It's a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself,' said James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket last year.
'The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special, full of history, intensity and unforgettable moments.'
With agency inputs

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