England captain Ben Stokes praised the “mentality” of his gamers regardless of their 106-run defeat within the second Take a look at in opposition to India in Visakhapatnam.
The vacationers have been set a report 399 to win however have been bowled out for 292 to depart the collection stage at 1-1.
“Now we have a lot perception in our skill, that it filters off to the individuals who assist us,” Stokes instructed BBC Sport.
“Two or three years in the past, if that was the duty we had, I do not suppose many would have thought we had an opportunity.”
England have been confronted with the prospect of pulling off their highest run chase in Take a look at cricket, the best by any workforce in opposition to India and the best on this nation.
Beneath Stokes’ management, they’ve chased 5 targets in extra of 250 up to now two years and final week overturned a 190-run first-innings deficit to win the primary Take a look at in Hyderabad.
Nonetheless, after reaching 95-1 on the fourth morning in Visakhapatnam, the lack of Rehan Ahmed, promoted up the order, signalled a gentle stream of wickets.
Zak Crawley’s departure for 73 was a hammer blow and when Stokes was run out for 11, England’s final slim hope went with him.
“Clearly it is disappointing to lose, we all the time wish to come out right here and win, however the way in which we approached it’s precisely what we’re searching for,” Stokes added.
“Everybody says, ‘What’s Bazball?’ It is our mentality, our approach of taking part in. The truth that you’ll be able to by no means look out on the sphere and suppose we’re behind within the sport, even when we’re. That is an enormous testomony to the gamers.”
Stokes additionally revealed Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley have been combating sickness on the ultimate day, as was Jack Leach, who didn’t play within the second Take a look at due to a knee damage.
“A pair wakened this morning not feeling nice, and when everybody had the identical signs you already know there’s something going round,” Stokes mentioned.
“It isn’t an excuse for the end result, as a result of it is a sport filled with ifs, buts and maybes.
“I am proud the fellows who have been feeling beneath the climate did not draw back from something they wanted to do and gave it their finest.”
Joe Root was struggling with a finger damage after taking a blow in a warm-up and whereas fielding on the third day.
Root was skittish in making 16 from 10 balls on Monday, falling to a unfastened swipe at Ravichandran Ashwin.
“He is doing all proper,” mentioned Stokes. “He hates feeling like he has left one thing on the market. We have been extra nervous about it final evening however he wakened with it being rather a lot higher.”
The five-match collection now pauses for per week earlier than the third Take a look at begins in Rajkot on 15 February.
India’s gamers will go dwelling and England will spend the break with their households in Abu Dhabi.
“It is welcome,” mentioned Stokes. “You may’t underestimate the impact a five-Take a look at collection has.
“Being 2-0 up could be nice for us, however that is the beauty of a five-match collection. It is the top of the collection the place every little thing counts.
“We’re a really level-headed workforce. Final week we have been fairly stage although we might achieved one thing fairly particular. We recognised that however we did not get too excessive.
“Identical this week, within the altering room we’re nonetheless very upbeat about among the nice stuff we have managed to do, albeit not getting the end result we needed to.”