In a match that already carried the weight of the series Ben Stokes arrived like a strom at Old Trafford clam , calculated yet thunderously effective . For a man known to rise when it matters most, the fourth Test against India proved to be another stage for Ben Stokes to remind the world of his rare all round brilliance .
From snapping a two drought without a century to rattling India ‘s batting order with a fierce five wicket haul, Stokes didn’t just contribute, he commanded the game . It was the kind of performance that echoes through dressing rooms , commentary boxes and stat books for years to come
Ben Stokes the batter: A return to Roar
Ben Stokes’ return to form with the bat came just when England needed consolidation and momentum. Walking in after a solid foundation was laid by Joe Root, Stokes settled in with precision, letting the pitch speak before letting his bat do the talking. Shortly before the morning drinks break, he brought up his first Test hundred in over two years, a sign of belief for fans and a roar of redemption for himself.
With deft touches and powerful strokes, he reminded everyone of the Stokes who pulled off the Headingley miracle, the World Cup final hero, the Ashes warrior. His 141-run partnership wasn’t just about personal glory. It was crafted to grind down India’s spirit. Two massive sixes down the ground showed his aggression while his Partnerships helped propel England to a towering 669, their highest total at the venue and one that left India chasing shadows.
Ben Stokes, the bowler: Breaking the backbone
If his batting efforts turned heads, his bowling spell broke backs. Having already been England’s most effective pacer throughout the series , Stokes once again demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure with the ball with relentless hostile lengths , tight lengths and clever variation . His 5/ 72 in the first innings included the prized wicket of Shubman Gill the India’ s vice captain who had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the series
The dismissal of LBW in a tense captain vs captain moment was the highlight of the match . Stokes didn’t stop there . His removal of Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar effectively snuffed out India’s lower-order resistance ensuring that England maintained the upper hand heading into the second innings with that fifer , Stokes joined elite English company. Only three other Englishmen Tony Greig, lan Banton and Gus Atkinson have managed double centuries and Five wicket haul in the same test . Even more remarkably only five test captains across all nations have achieved his feat.
Fatigue and Fitness: A cloud over Day 5
However, not all of Stokes’ impact was positive, at least not in terms of England’s strategy moving forward. After winning everything with bat and ball, Stokes looked visibly stiff, struggling with cramps towards the end of the innings. When England began their second innings, Stokes was absent from the bowling attack. His inability to bowl on Day 4 raised questions and concerns.
Without their captain, England’s bowling unit lacked the bite and balance they had earlier. As KL Rahul and Shubham Gill mounted a strong resistance with an unbeaten 174-run partnership, England’s grip on the game began to loosen. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick confirmed Stokes was dealing with soreness from his heavy workload, stating that they were hopeful he could return on Day 5. But without him, England look far less threatening.
A test hinged on Stokes’ brilliance. Ben Stokes has shaped this test with bat and ball, pushing England to the edge of victory. Whether he blows on Day 5 or not could decide the match. But win or lose, his all-round heroics have already etched a timeless Chapter in modern cricket.
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