India v England: Ben Stokes proud of side's progress despite 106-run loss

England captain Ben Stokes praised the "mentality" of his players despite their 106-run defeat in the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam.

The tourists were set a record 399 to win but were bowled out for 292 to leave the series level at 1-1.

"We have so much belief in our ability, that it filters off to the people who support us," Stokes told BBC Sport.

"Two or three years ago, if that was the task we had, I don't think many would have thought we had a chance."

England were faced with the prospect of pulling off their highest run chase in Test cricket, the highest by any team against India and the highest in this country.

Under Stokes' leadership, they have chased five targets in excess of 250 in the past two years and last week overturned a 190-run first-innings deficit to win the first Test in Hyderabad.

However, after reaching 95-1 on the fourth morning in Visakhapatnam, the loss of Rehan Ahmed, promoted up the order, signalled a steady stream of wickets.

Zak Crawley's departure for 73 was a hammer blow and when Stokes was run out for 11, England's last slim hope went with him.

"Obviously it's disappointing to lose, we always want to come out here and win, but the way we approached it is exactly what we are looking for," Stokes added.

"Everyone says, 'What is Bazball?' It's our mentality, our way of playing. The fact that you can never look out on the field and think we are behind in the game, even if we are. That's a huge testament to the players."

Stokes also revealed Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley were struggling with illness on the final day, as was Jack Leach, who did not play in the second Test because of a knee injury.

"A couple woke up this morning not feeling great, and when everyone had the same symptoms you know there is something going around," Stokes said.

"It's not an excuse for the result, because it's a game full of ifs, buts and maybes.

"I'm proud the guys who were feeling under the weather didn't shy away from anything they needed to do and gave it their best."

Joe Root was suffering with a finger injury after taking a blow in a warm-up and while fielding on the third day.

Root was skittish in making 16 from 10 balls on Monday, falling to a loose swipe at Ravichandran Ashwin.

"He's doing all right," said Stokes. "He hates feeling like he has left something out there. We were more worried about it last night but he woke up with it being a lot better."

The five-match series now pauses for a week before the third Test begins in Rajkot on 15 February.

India's players will go home and England will spend the break with their families in Abu Dhabi.

"It's welcome," said Stokes. "You can't underestimate the effect a five-Test series has.

"Being 2-0 up would be great for us, but that's the great thing about a five-match series. It's the end of the series where everything counts.

"We're a very level-headed team. Last week we were pretty level even though we'd achieved something pretty special. We recognised that but we didn't get too high.

"Same this week, in the changing room we're still very upbeat about some of the great stuff we've managed to do, albeit not getting the result we wanted to."