WATCH: Ben Stokes laughs off Rishabh Pant's bold down-the-ground boundary on just his second ball
Ben Stokes reacts after Rishabh Pant hits him for a boundary.
New Delhi: Ben Stokes finds a way to get things done. Immediately after KL Rahul have been dismissed to snap a devastating 91-run partnership, Stokes dismissed debutant Sai Sudharsan off a leg-side trap. When Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill appeared to be stealing the game off England, he bowled a ball of his life to remove Jaiswal just after a hundred. However, even such game-changer as Stokes has a real competitor, and it is Rishabh Pant.
After Jaiswal was dismissed after his brilliant 101, the new vice-captain Rishabh Pant came in and India were in a commanding position at 221 for 3. But dark clouds were looming on the horizon and the loss of concentration by one could turn the tide of the game, as Stokes was bowling a blistering spell. Pant started in a safe manner, seemingly defending the first ball with a straight bat- then, in classic fashion he started on the very next ball and danced down the ground and sent Stokes miles over his head and to the boundary.
That's one way to start your English summer… 😉#ENGvIND #TeamIndia | @RishabhPant17 #RishabhPant#BenStokespic.twitter.com/82e9XsM2Y9
— Pankaj Mishra 🇮🇳 (@pankajplmishra) June 20, 2025
No fast bowler likes to be charged and hit over his head, but in his usual unconventional way Ben Stokes did not get even the faintest hint of irritation. instead he burst into loud laughter, more like one who was grateful that the shot had been so audacious as to be a challenge.
Even the England captain walked a few steps next to Pant and had a light-hearted conversation which is indicative of mutual respect. Stokes has been a big fan of Pant and his fearless style and even said back then that Pant brings the Bazball spirit to the Indian side.
With another probing spell against Pant, Stokes continued to work hard but the latter played extremely well not to fall into any of the traps. England captain varied his pace and length wisely, keeping Pant on toes. He bowled a couple of short sharp bouncers and tossed a trap slower delivery to deceive Pant into a leg-before wicket chance, albeit failed to capture him-but the Indian vice-captain stood up to the challenge to survive.
The calm and controlled batting of Pant sealed off any chances that England held of getting back into the game and India held the game well. In the meantime, captain Shubman Gill was splendid in a smooth-running century, the fourth Indian leader ever-Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli-to achieve the centrury in his first leadership role in Tests. It became the sixth century in Tests in general and the first in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country by Gill.
Gill and Pant raised their century stand as India went over 300 and Pant edged towards a half-century.
In the foundation was a good opening strike by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. India lost Rahul (42) followed by debutant Sai Sudharsan (0) in no particular order but the 129 run third wicket stand between Gill and Jaiswal truly placed India on a front foot.
Yashasvi Jaiswal made a perfect century in his very first Test in England and his class was on display as he was so smooth in his shots. It finally came to end in a stroke of genius-an enchanting delivery by Ben Stokes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
WATCH: Karun Nair's comeback ends with heartbreak, departs for duck as Oliie Pope pulls off stunner
Karun Nair's much-talked about return to the Test side after 8 years ended in a damp squib as the batter was sent back for a duck after England vice captain Ollie Pope pulled off a stunner at Leeds on Day 2 of the 1st Test. As a result of Nair's dismissal, India lost two quick wickets on Day 2 with skipper Shubman Gill also back in the hut after scoring 147 runs. Nair's wicket came on the last ball of the 105th over bowled by Ben Stokes with the England captain opting for a outswinger which was wide of the off stump. A tentative shot by Nair led to the ball flying in the air and Pope, who was situated at cover, dived to his left and snapped up a stunning grab. this edit 😝🙏wtff what is this behaviour??JINX😭😭🙏 Justice for Karun Nair #INDvsENG — Dheer (@CricITpolitics) June 21, 2025 India would lose more wickets after Nair as Rishabh Pant was gone for 134, followed by Shardul Thakur for 1 as India posted 454/7 at Lunch on Day 2. On Friday, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill proved that there is still plenty of depth left in the Indian batting line-up, with both scoring centuries as the visitors piled on the runs to end day one of the first test on 359-3. The next 10 tests could define how the combination of skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are viewed, after plenty of highs and lows over the past few years, with the Ashes series in Australia following India's visit. Putting India into bat to apply further pressure, at a ground where each of the previous six test matches have been won by the side bowling first, 23-year-old Jaiswal proved that the tourists had quickly transitioned from the old to the new. The scourge of England, however, was not overawed by any stretch, as he became the first Indian batter to score centuries in his first match in both Australia and England with a flawless display of off-side batting. Three of Jaiswal's five centuries have come against England. In total, he has now amassed a colossal 813 runs in 10 tests when facing McCullum's side. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: From 'stupid, stupid, stupid' to 'superb, superb, superb' - Sunil Gavaskar applauds Rishabh Pant's hundred at Headingley
Sunil Gavaskar and Rishabh Pant (Agency Photos) Six months ago, the words 'Stupid, stupid, stupid' echoed through Indian cricket commentary as Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at Rishabh Pant for his reckless shot in a crunch moment — a failed scoop against Scott Boland that led to a soft dismissal. LIVE: India vs England 1st Test Day 2 But on Saturday at Headingley, in the same breath where Pant once drew scorn, he earned admiration. The left-hander brought up his seventh Test century in style, launching Shoaib Bashir over long-on for six — and this time, it was Gavaskar on air again, exclaiming: 'Superb, superb, superb!' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! It was a moment of poetic redemption. Pant, who had walked a tightrope of discipline and flair all innings, reached his ton with typical audacity — followed by his trademark front-flip celebration, now becoming a signature of his resurgence. 05:36 Dominant India on Day 1! Jaiswal & Gill Hit Centuries | ENG vs IND 1st Test - Sahil from Leeds Gavaskar, who had once brutally criticised Pant's impulsive nature, offered a far more nuanced assessment this time. Speaking on Sony Sports at the end of Day 1, the former India captain said: 'He's been measured in his approach, giving himself time out in the middle. But once he's in and the bowlers start to tire, that's when he begins to step down the pitch and really attack.' Gavaskar acknowledged Pant's evolution — from being brash to being brilliantly balanced: 'Because he gives himself that time early on, it becomes easier for him to play those aggressive strokes later. When he defends, it's like he has all the time in the world. He's got enormous talent — I've seen his centuries in South Africa and Australia, and this one is right up there.' Pant's ton, part of a 200-plus partnership with captain Shubman Gill , helped India take complete control of the first Test — and turned a past critique into a present-day standing ovation. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
3011-day wait ends in heartbreak! Karun Nair falls for four-ball duck on Test comeback
Karun Nair (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Eight long years — or 3,011 days to be exact — that's how long Karun Nair waited to walk out in an India Test jersey again. But the fairy tale comeback didn't unfold the way he had imagined. On his much-anticipated return to Test cricket, Karun lasted just four balls, dismissed for a duck. England captain Ben Stokes was the party spoiler. He delivered a full outswinger, wide of off stump — tempting Karun into a drive. But the right-hander wasn't fully committed to the shot. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Instead of finding the gap, the ball flew off the bat and straight into the hands of Ollie Pope at short cover, who pulled off a spectacular catch — diving full stretch to his left, both hands overhead, nearly horizontal to the ground. Karun, who etched his name into Indian cricket history with a stunning triple century against England in Chennai back in December 2016, had last played a Test in 2017. Since then, he toiled away in domestic cricket, patiently waiting for a comeback. 'Dear cricket, give me one more chance,' he often reminded himself. Dominant India on Day 1! Jaiswal & Gill Hit Centuries | ENG vs IND 1st Test - Sahil from Leeds He let his bat do the talking in the 2024–25 season — amassing 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy games with four centuries, and 779 runs in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy innings, including five tons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo His perseverance was finally rewarded when the BCCI picked him for the five-match Test series in England. Nair, India's 287th Test cricketer, received his comeback cap from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar — a moment he will always cherish, even if the script on the field didn't quite go his way. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
