ENG vs IND 2025: 'Stokes faces his toughest challenge yet' - Michael Atherton previews Lord's Test

Former England captain Michael Atherton believes Ben Stokes is facing the toughest test of his leadership as he prepares his side for the crucial third Test at Lord’s, following a crushing 336-run defeat to India in the second match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Edgbaston. With England now trailing 1–1, Atherton emphasized that the next two days would be crucial in lifting the morale of a wounded squad.

Atherton pointed out that, ahead of the series, much of the focus in England’s cricketing circles had been on the upcoming Ashes, with several former players and pundits treating the India series as a warm-up. However, the heavy loss in Birmingham has forced a rethink. “In the three years that Ben Stokes has captained England, it is hard to think that he has faced a sterner challenge than over the next two days, as he contemplates how to lift his players for the third Test at Lord’s,” Atherton wrote in his column for The Times. “It will be a massive test of his leadership and his own mental and physical resilience.”

He reflected on Stokes’ own comments before the second Test and the dramatic contrast in England’s approach and outcome. Atherton described the Edgbaston defeat as a direct punishment for England’s game plan and underscored the importance of recalibrating both tactics and energy. “The three days that Stokes used to shut himself off from the world after Leeds for his own benefit are essentially the days he must use now to rally his players,” he said.

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Atherton also analyzed Stokes’ workload during the Edgbaston Test, noting how the physical toll has likely worsened with the pressure of defeat. “He spent 25 overs longer in the field; he bowled nine overs fewer and batted 16 minutes less. Defeat, of course, exacerbates matters. If he was feeling knackered after a win at Leeds and with a seven-day break, how must he have been feeling on Monday morning with the Lord’s Test three days away?” he wrote.

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Looking ahead to the team composition, Atherton suggested refreshing the seam attack, especially with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson nearing full fitness. “I’d keep faith with the batting and freshen up the seam attack, bringing in [Jofra] Archer and [Gus] Atkinson for Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse,” he concluded, noting Atkinson’s strong Test record at Lord’s, where he has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 10.94 from just two matches.