Ben Stokes Shines Again Despite Draw in Fourth Test Against India

Ben Stokes delivered an exceptional performance in the fourth Test against India, taking five wickets and scoring 141 runs. Despite his efforts, the match ended in a draw, with India holding firm thanks to a strong partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Stokes was named Player of the Match for the second consecutive time, highlighting his crucial role in the series. As England leads 2-1, the final Test at The Oval promises to be an exciting showdown as India seeks to level the series.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2025, 01:59 IST

Stokes' Stellar Performance at Old Trafford

In a remarkable display of skill, Ben Stokes reaffirmed his status as one of the premier all-rounders in cricket during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. Although England could not secure a victory, Stokes was honored as Player of the Match for the second consecutive Test, underscoring his significant influence in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The England captain achieved impressive bowling figures of 5/72, contributing to India's total of 358. He also scored 141 runs in the first innings, placing him at the forefront of the wicket-takers list in the series with 17 wickets. However, India managed to hold on for a hard-fought draw, thanks to a resilient partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

During the post-match presentation, Stokes reflected, "As an all-rounder, the outcome of the game ultimately defines your performance. I would trade my individual success for a win any day."

He commended his team's dedication, stating, "I urged the players to give their all for the team, and I am prepared to do the same. Bowling and fielding require immense effort, and my body is feeling the strain after so many overs."

Stokes noted that the pitch conditions improved on the final day but praised India's lower middle-order for their determination, saying, "As the match progressed, batting became easier. There was inconsistent bounce for right-handers, but not much for left-handers. Washington and Jadeja deserve immense credit for their performance."

He also highlighted pivotal moments in the match, particularly the opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, which laid a solid foundation in the first innings.

"The partnership between Duckett and Crawley was vital in establishing our position in the first innings," he remarked.

"This series has been a thrilling contest filled with high-quality cricket. It felt like a turning point could emerge at any moment. However, India's quality made it challenging to break through, and they demonstrated that," he added.

Stokes acknowledged that England had exhausted all strategies to clinch the win, stating, "We gave it our all, but India managed to withstand the pressure on the final day. All the credit goes to their hard work."

In a strategic decision, Stokes opted not to overburden his fast bowlers in the final session, considering the broader context of the series. "I wanted to avoid risking injuries to my pace attack. Liam Dawson also bowled a significant number of overs. Discussions had taken place regarding the workload on our bowlers leading up to this Test, and they will be evaluated in the coming days."

Despite the draw, England maintains a 2-1 lead in the five-match series as they head into the final Test at The Oval, set to begin on Thursday. India will aim to bounce back and level the series.