England cricket captain Ben Stokes faced backlash after his comments about the Edgbaston pitch following a significant defeat to India. The match, which saw India score over 1000 runs and defeat England by 336 runs, left Stokes remarking that the pitch resembled those found in the subcontinent, favoring the visiting team. Stokes expressed his surprise at the high number of runs scored at Edgbaston, noting that the conditions became increasingly challenging for England as the game progressed. He suggested that the pitch’s characteristics were more beneficial to India, who are accustomed to such conditions. In an interview with BBC’s Test Match Special, Stokes elaborated on how the pitch evolved throughout the match. Initially, it offered some assistance to bowlers, which England capitalized on. However, as the game continued, it became more difficult for his team to score, with India exploiting the conditions effectively. This comment did not sit well with fans and critics alike, who accused Stokes of making excuses for the loss. Some fans labeled him a ‘crybaby,’ while others pointed out that subcontinent pitches typically favor spin bowling more than what was observed in this match. Social media reactions were swift and varied. Some fans criticized Stokes for not acknowledging India’s superior performance with both bat and ball. Others humorously noted that Birmingham’s weather might resemble the subcontinent but dismissed Stokes’ comments as poor excuses. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra also weighed in, questioning the validity of calling it a subcontinent pitch given that Indian spinners only took two wickets across two innings. As England prepares for the next Test match in just three days, all eyes will be on how they respond to this defeat and what kind of pitch they prepare to counter India’s strengths.