Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has questioned Ben Stokes’ commitment to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), suggesting the England captain does not take the tournament seriously.
While speaking to British journalists during the fifth Test, Karthik said Stokes’ repeated concerns about the WTC points system and slow over rate penalties appeared more like an excuse than a valid issue. He said England’s focus on The Ashes over the past two years reflects a limited view of the broader importance of Test cricket.
Karthik compared England’s approach with that of India, stating that Indian players and fans hold the WTC in high regard. He claimed England’s leadership lacked a clear understanding or respect for the format, noting that England had never qualified for a WTC final in any of the three cycles so far.
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In the same conversation, Karthik commented on India’s position in the ongoing Test series, saying the team had posted a competitive total. He expressed confidence that the pitch conditions would still support bowlers and that India had a strong chance of levelling the series.
England, under Stokes’ leadership since 2022, have played 22 Tests in the current WTC cycle (2023–25) but remain in fifth place on the table. Karthik implied that the team’s inconsistent results stem from a lack of strategic focus on the championship itself.