Joe Root's legacy as England test captain was blotched in the last year of his tenure.
What's notable though was that his form as a batter did not fluctuate with losses and victories. He scored 5295 runs as the captain of England in Test cricket at an average of 46.45.
However, India bounced back, taking the series 3-1 and pushing England out of the World Test Championship final race.
The team then competed in the Ashes and suffered a humiliating defeat. They not only lost the series 4-0 but were not able to give Australia a run for their money. Another series defeat against West Indies meant that it became untenable for Root to continue as the England test captain.
Stokes turned things around instantly with the support of head coach Brendon McCullum and started off his permanent test captaincy career with a series victory over New Zealand at the start of the English summer in 2022.
"I'd thrown every bit of myself into it and it was starting to have an unhealthy effect on the rest of my life as well. I couldn't leave it in the car or at the cricket ground; it was coming home. It's not fair on myself and it wasn't fair on my family. It's obviously been really tough," Root said during the New Zealand series.
"A lot of people will talk about my personal performances over the last year or so, runs-wise, but it's never enjoyable when you're losing Test matches and you'd give all those runs up to win. I want to enjoy my cricket and I want to enjoy playing. It's a role that needs someone who is going to give it so much energy and you can see that with Ben. I'm really excited for this team and for him that he's in that position."
