Stokes’ Heroics Crush India as England Tightens Grip in Manchester Test

Stokes’ Heroics Crush India as England Tightens Grip in Manchester Test

Ben Stokes delivered a masterclass in all-round excellence at Old Trafford, scoring a century to go with his earlier five-wicket haul, as England completely dominated India on the third morning of the ongoing Test. The hosts piled on a massive 669 – their fifth-highest Test total – and left India reeling at 1 for 2 by lunch, still trailing by 310 runs.

India’s bowlers were visibly fatigued after spending 157.1 overs on the field, and that exhaustion translated into uncharacteristic errors with both bat and in the field. Chris Woakes, exploiting that vulnerability, struck twice in the brief morning session, including a wicket off his very first delivery.

Earlier in the day, it was all about Stokes. Having retired hurt on 66 the previous evening due to cramps, he returned with purpose and composure. A close run-out scare in the opening over was overturned by replays, and Stokes responded in style, dancing down the track to smash Mohammed Siraj through covers.

Despite some nervous moments as he approached his century – his first in 35 innings – Stokes reached the milestone with a subtle nudge off his hips. He celebrated with a punch in the air and a folded-finger salute, a tribute to his late father, Ged Stokes. The crowd joined in the moment, with the ground trumpeter playing the iconic Superman theme.

This innings placed Stokes in elite company, as he joined Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis as only the third all-rounder in Test history to notch 7000 runs and 200 wickets. He also became just the fifth captain to score a century and claim a five-wicket haul in the same Test.

India’s reply got off to a disastrous start. The 15 minutes before lunch proved pivotal as Woakes, operating around the wicket, got the ball to seam sharply. Yashasvi Jaiswal, trying to flick a delivery from middle stump, only managed a leading edge to Joe Root at slip. Root fumbled momentarily but completed the catch on the second attempt.

Sai Sudharsan followed soon after, undone more by fatigue than skill. Facing a short and wide delivery he could’ve left alone, Sudharsan hesitated too late and ended up edging to second slip – caught while leaving the ball.

India were one run for two wickets when Shubman Gill came in to face the hat-trick ball, surrounded by five slips and a leg slip. He survived, but the damage had already been done.

England remain firmly in control, with India facing an uphill battle to avoid a follow-on and stay alive in this Test.

You May Interested

> India’s Bowling Strategy Under Scrutiny After Record Concession in Manchester Test
> Root’s Monumental 150, Stokes and Pope’s Fifties Put England in Command in Manchester Test
> Middlesex Seal Innings Victory Despite Gritty Resistance from Keogh and Zaib
> Warwickshire Pull Off Stunning Chase to Defeat Worcestershire and Push Rivals Toward Relegation
> New Zealand Unbeaten Ahead of Tri-Series Final Against South Africa in Harare
> Stokes’ Heroics Crush India as England Tightens Grip in Manchester Test
> Gill, Rahul Steady India After Woakes' Double Blow; Trail England by 225
> Asia Cup 2025 to Begin in UAE on September 9; India vs Pakistan Clash Set for September 14
> Conrad Confident Despite Final Defeat: “We’ve Got the Makings of a Great Side”
> Green, Maxwell Shine as Australia Edge West Indies in Thriller to Clinch Fourth Straight Win
Indian Premier League 2025 | League
🕹️ 74 Matches 👥 12 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Pakistan Super League, 2025 | League
🕹️ 34 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Tri-Nation Series in UAE, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 5 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Womens World Cup Qualifier, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 15 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 19 Apr, 2025 - 19 Apr, 2025
England A Women tour of Australia, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 0 Teams 📅 26 Mar, 2025 - 15 Apr, 2025
Kolkata National Cricket Club, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
County Championship Division One, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 35 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Afghanistan U19 tour of Nepal, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 3 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
KCC T20 Challengers B League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 14 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Vincy Premier League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 30 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 21 Apr, 2025 - 21 Apr, 2025
Melbourne T10 League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 22 Matches 👥 7 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Quadrangular T20I Series in Hong Kong, China, 2025 | International
🕹️ 8 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 13 Apr, 2025 - 13 Apr, 2025
Uganda Women tour of Namibia, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Major League Cricket 2025 | League
🕹️ 4 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 14 Jul, 2025 - 14 Jul, 2025
ECS Italy, Bologna, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 29 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 18 Apr, 2025 - 18 Apr, 2025