Yuzvendra Chahal's Stunning Leg-Spin Dismisses Ben Stokes in County Championship
Chahal Shines in County Championship Match
In a remarkable display of leg-spin bowling, Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, representing Northamptonshire, showcased his skills against Durham's all-rounder and former England Test captain Ben Stokes during the County Championship 2026 Division Two match held at County Ground in Northampton on September 3.
Durham was dismissed for 205 runs in their first innings, with David Bedingham leading the score with a resilient 81 runs off 91 balls. Northamptonshire then took to bat, finishing their first innings at 225/7 in 76 overs, gaining a narrow 20-run advantage.
James Sales (69) and Saif Zaib (52) contributed significantly to the middle order, helping Northamptonshire surpass Durham's total before the end of Day 1. However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly Chahal's exceptional delivery that sent Stokes back to the pavilion.
Chahal's Viral Delivery to Stokes
In his third match of the County Championship season, Yuzvendra Chahal claimed four wickets in the first innings, but his crowning achievement was the dismissal of England's star all-rounder Ben Stokes with a spectacular delivery.
This memorable moment occurred in the 47th over of Durham's innings when Chahal bowled a flighted leg-break from around the wicket. Stokes attempted to defend but was deceived as the ball turned sharply, crashing into the top of off-stump.
Stokes, visibly shocked, stood frozen for several moments, staring at the pitch before making his way back to the pavilion after scoring just 14 runs off 22 balls, while Chahal celebrated with his teammates.
Chahal's Impressive Bowling Figures
In addition to dismissing Stokes, Chahal also took the wickets of Durham's captain Alex Lees (24), Kasey Aldridge (5), and Matthew Potts (0), finishing with impressive figures of 4/36 in 15.2 overs at an economy rate of 2.35.
This match marked Chahal's first four-wicket haul of the County Championship Division Two season.
Social Media Reactions to Chahal's Delivery
Chahal's remarkable delivery to Stokes has gone viral, generating a flurry of reactions on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). Fans and cricket lovers expressed their astonishment at the sharp turn and skill displayed by the veteran spinner.
Many users praised Chahal's execution, drawing parallels to the legendary Shane Warne's iconic leg-spin deliveries. Others humorously noted Stokes' disbelief at being bowled, suggesting he often reacts similarly when dismissed.
Some fans questioned Chahal's absence from the Indian Test squad, highlighting his evident talent and control in longer formats.
Chahal's Season Performance
Throughout the ongoing County Championship Division Two season, Yuzvendra Chahal has taken nine wickets, including a four-wicket haul, with an average of 14.77 and an economy rate of 2.50 across four innings.