'It's that man again' - Stokes takes two wickets in one over against India

Manchester bore witness to another extraordinary display from England captain Ben Stokes on a pivotal day of the Fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. In a spell that epitomized his unique blend of skill, determination, and leadership, Stokes ripped through the Indian middle order, delivering two crucial blows in a single over that swung the momentum firmly back in England's favour. The raucous Manchester crowd, sensing a shift, rose to acclaim their skipper as he orchestrated a dramatic collapse, ultimately claiming five wickets in India's first innings.

The defining moment arrived as India looked to consolidate their position, with Washington Sundar appearing settled at the crease on 27. Stokes, relentlessly probing, found the breakthrough with a delivery that caught Sundar off guard, leading to his dismissal and igniting the spark England so desperately needed. The very next ball, a fresh-faced Anshul Kamboj walked to the wicket, only to be met by a fired-up Stokes. The delivery was precise, the appeal confident, and the umpire's finger went up, sending Kamboj back to the pavilion for a duck. This double strike in quick succession not only shattered India's hopes of building a substantial first innings total but also underscored Stokes' uncanny ability to deliver under immense pressure, turning a potentially frustrating session into a triumph for the home side.

This devastating over was merely the highlight of a sensational individual performance from the England captain, who finished the innings with a five-wicket haul. His relentless accuracy, coupled with intelligent variations, consistently troubled the Indian batsmen. Beyond the raw statistics, Stokes’ impact extended to his captaincy; he led by example, demonstrating a fierce competitive spirit that permeated the entire English bowling attack. In a series finely poised, such a dominant individual performance, particularly from the captain, provides an invaluable psychological edge. It serves as a stark reminder of his all-round capabilities and his unparalleled knack for producing game-changing moments, reaffirming his status as one of the most influential figures in modern Test cricket and setting a formidable challenge for India in the remainder of this crucial Old Trafford encounter.