IND vs ENG 2024: 100 is just a number – Ben Stokes before playing the landmark Test

England skipper Ben Stokes said every Test match is important for him and 100 is just a number before playing his 100th Test in the national team’s jersey against India at Rajkot. Stokes admitted that playing 100 Test matches is a sign of longevity but he is not too fussed about the milestone and wants to stay focused on job at hand.

Stokes has been leading from the front since he has taken over the captaincy baton from Joe Root and has done a fine job with head coach Brendon McCullum. The all-rounder has done a terrific job in getting the best out of his players and will aim to continue to do the good job for the Three Lions.

“Every Test is just as important as the next one. Then there’s the next one, which will be 101 – it’s just one more,” Stokes said in Rajkot, as quoted by the BBC.

“It’s a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn’t make much difference. It’s just a number.

“I don’t want it to sound like I’m not thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, but with milestones, it’s not done until it’s done,” he added.

Stokes revealed he likes to back his intuitions as a leader and led according to the match situations.

“We don’t have a plan with where I go with my intensity. It’s just how I feel at the time, but also not getting too far ahead. The rest of my body has to get up to speed with bowling and this was another step forward,” he added.

Meanwhile, England won the opening Test match against India by 28 runs whereas the hosts bounced back to win the second game by 106 runs.

The third Test match between India and England will be played at Rajkot from 15th February onwards.