England vs India: Throughout the series Ben Stokes' team has repeatedly lost the initiative

England's 4-1 series defeat in India was frustrating due to missed opportunities to win more Tests.

Not only did England fail to seize those moments, but they also handed the initiative back to India.

India's success was not solely due to producing magic, but also due to England's poor shot selection and unforced errors.

India likely felt that whenever England was progressing well with the bat, all they had to do was bowl a couple of tight overs, wait for a mistake, and someone would get themselves out.

For most of India's innings and 64-run win in the fifth Test in Dharamsala, England were not competitive, but at 100-1 in the last over before lunch on the first day, they had a chance to take control of the match, but they failed to do so and were all out for 218.

Similarly, in the third Test at Rajkot, India were reduced to 33-3 in their first innings before the hosts rallied to score 445, but England collapsed from 224-2 to 319 all out in reply.

In the fourth Test in Ranchi, India was struggling at 177-7 in response to England's 353 when Dhruv Jurel was dropped, but he went on to make a crucial 90.

Examining Ben Duckett's shot in the second innings at Dharamsala, where he was bowled after charging down the pitch in Ravichandran Ashwin's opening over, reveals the frazzled state of England's batsmen.

Although Duckett may have been attempting to get rid of one of the close fielders, his decision to play such a risky shot as a left-hander facing an off-spinner was a lapse in judgement.

During these long tours where Tests are played frequently, there is no time to clear your mind and you end up facing the same bowlers repeatedly. For instance, Duckett is constantly facing Ashwin, who has dismissed him multiple times.

Playing cricket in India can be attritional and requires perseverance.

It is important not to allow India to get back into the game when you are in a good position, as one wicket often leads to two or three, as we have seen.