Ben Stokes, the England cricket team's captain, has responded to criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan regarding his decision to bowl first in the first Test match against India. Stokes' decision to bowl first on what appeared to be a batting-friendly pitch at Headingley raised eyebrows, especially as India reached 430/3 in their first innings.

Vaughan admitted to being "staggered" by Stokes's decision. Stokes, however, had the last laugh after England's remarkable five-wicket victory, delivering a mic-drop moment with his response.

England's win was secured after they chased down a target of 371, marking their second-highest successful chase in Test history. Ben Duckett's impressive 149 set the foundation for the victory. Stokes highlighted the team's attitude and performance under pressure as key factors in their win, rather than just skill. He also credited his bowlers for dismantling India's lower order in both innings.

When questioned about whether he doubted his decision after India's strong start, Stokes retorted, "It's a good job Test cricket is played over five days, isn't it?" He further elaborated on his thought process behind the toss decision, stating that he assessed the pitch conditions just before the game and noticed significant top moisture. Stokes believed that his bowling attack had a good chance of taking early wickets, and he prioritized what he thought would give his team the best chance of winning. He acknowledged that while his team aimed to exploit the conditions early, the opposition was also capable of playing well, which India demonstrated on the first two days.

Alastair Cook, another former England captain, reflected on the situation from his own experience as a captain. He noted that in similar circumstances, some players might have questioned the captain's decision. However, he emphasized that the current England team is united behind Stokes, regardless of whether the decision was perceived as right or wrong, highlighting the team's strong backing for their captain. Vaughan also pointed out the team's growing maturity, which bodes well for future challenges, including the Ashes series against Australia.

Stokes also lauded Ben Duckett, who was named Player of the Match, for his outstanding innings, which played a crucial role in England's victory. He emphasized that the win was a result of the team's collective effort and their ability to perform under pressure.