India v England: 'I don't know what could happen,' says Ben Stokes on pitch ahead of fourth Test in Ranchi

Ben Stokes said he has "never seen something like that before" when giving his assessment of the pitch to be used in England's crucial fourth Test clash with India in Ranchi.

England trail 2-1 in the series and will have to adapt to the conditions if they are to prevail and force a decider.

Speaking ahead of the fourth Test, which begins on Friday and is live on TNT Sports, Stokes said: “I've never seen something like that before. I don’t know what could happen.

“If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India.”

He added: “It looked green and grassy up in the changing rooms, but then you go out there it looked different – very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it.”

The unpredictable surface could make it difficult for batters, which might play into the visitors’ hands following their 434-run defeat in Rajkot last week.

England have named their starting XI for the crucial clash, with Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir recalled in place of Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed.

Stokes himself could return to the bowling line-up for the first time since undergoing knee surgery last November, having had a decent bowl in the nets prior to the Test.

“I will just have to wait and see how everything is,” the all-rounder said on his condition. “It is the longest I have bowled in six months so let's see how everything pulls up.”

Also in the starting line-up for the fourth Test is Jonny Bairstow. The 34-year-old has come in for criticism for his performances after averaging just 17 runs in six innings but Stokes backed his inclusion.

“If batters have a tough time over a short period, it will come under scrutiny,” Stokes said.

“I don't look at it like that, I look at what Jonny [Bairstow] has contributed for a long period of time since I've been captain.

“He has money in the bank, he's a quality player. He's someone who has been very integral to what we have done.”

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