A calm Ben Stokes glanced through the stands as the trumpets belted out the Superman theme and the Barmy Army chanted his name.
The England captain was on 99, and was beaten by Washington Sundar a couple of times. As the sound of the trumpets grew louder and the fans waited for him to score a much-deserved Test century — his first in more than two years — Stokes adjusted his helmet and eventually leg-glanced Mohammed Siraj to the fence.
The Old Trafford was on its feet as Stokes (141, 198b, 11×4, 3×6) took off his helmet and did the two-fingered salute to the skies. It, indeed, turned out to be a special outing as he brought up his 14th century, following a five-for. He eventually guided England to 669 as the hosts gained a massive 311-run lead.
In what could possibly be a series-decider, Chris Woakes added to India’s woes before the lunch by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal and B. Sai Sudharsan off consecutive deliveries with nothing on the scoreboard. However, showing resilience, captain Shubman Gill ( 78 batting, 167b, 10×4) and K.L. Rahul (87 batting, 210b, 8×4) defied the English bowlers for more than 62 overs to take India to 174 for two at stumps.
Ben Stokes became the 13th England batter to go past 7,000 Test runs.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Ben Stokes became the 13th England batter to go past 7,000 Test runs.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Trailing by 137 runs, saving the Test match is still a long way, but Gill and Rahul instilled that belief in the camp. Making the most of a reprieve, Gill counter-attacked with a cover drive and executed an upper cut as well for two fours off Jofra Archer, while Rahul was more on the defensive.
With the surface easing out and Stokes not bowling due to a hamstring pull, England’s attack didn’t carry the same edge. Despite facing a short-ball ploy, Gill and Rahul showed steely resolve and went on to create milestones.
Rahul became the second Asian opener to aggregate 500-plus (508) runs in a Test series in England, after Sunil Gavaskar (542 in 1979). Gill became the first Asian batter to score 650 runs or more in a series in England.
The England captain created records too earlier in the day. Stokes made it to an elite club of all-rounders with 7,000 runs and 200 wickets in the format, alongside Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis. He also became just the fourth England player to score a century and claim a five-wicket haul in the same contest.
As the day began, India, needing only three wickets, fancied its chances of wrapping up things quickly. However, with Stokes around, there was not much that the Indian bowlers could do. Anshul Kamboj wasn’t given a single over, while Jasprit Bumrah leaked 100-plus (112) runs for the first time in his 48-Test career.
This was also the first time, since 2014, that India conceded 600 runs in a Test innings. Stokes took on the spinners after his century. He added 38 runs off just 34 balls after his milestone, before holing out to long-on, attempting a big shot against Ravindra Jadeja.
Stokes had put England on top. But with Gill and Rahul rising to the occasion, all was not lost for India.
