Veteran all-rounder and England captain Ben Stokes etched another chapter in his storied Test career on Day 1 of the fourth Test against India, becoming a symbol of grit and leadership as he bowled more overs in a single series than ever before. With 14 hard-fought overs on Wednesday at Old Trafford, the England skipper took his series tally to 119 overs — surpassing his previous best of 116.5 during the 2013–14 Ashes in Australia.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Despite a long history of injuries, including two hamstring setbacks in the past year, the 34-year-old continues to lead England from the front. His 2/47 helped check India’s progress after a solid opening partnership, and reaffirmed his role as England’s tireless engine.
“I’m not going to lie, I cannot wait to just lie on my bed for four days,” Stokes had quipped after the draining Lord’s Test, where he claimed five wickets, scored 77 runs, and was involved in Rishabh Pant’s run-out.
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But ahead of the Old Trafford clash, he remained committed: “If the situation requires it again then I’ll do what I need to do.”The England skipper’s commitment has stood in sharp contrast to debates around workload management, especially concerning India’s Jasprit Bumrah. Both bowlers have struggled with injuries, but Stokes’ willingness to bowl marathon spells has set the tone for his team.
At stumps, India were 264/4, but the bigger talking point was Rishabh Pant’s retirement hurt after being struck on the right foot by a Chris Woakes delivery. His absence could have serious implications for the visitors, who are trailing 1-2 in the five-match series.Ahead of the Manchester Test, comparisons to England’s legendary 2005 Ashes series have surfaced, and Stokes welcomed the noise: “Two teams going toe-to-toe… it’s been great to play in. I presume it’s been great to watch.”
