Ben Stokes delivered a legendary performance at Old Trafford, achieving a feat unmatched by any English cricketer in 148 years of Test cricket. With his gritty 14th Test century and five-wicket haul, the England skipper became the first from his country to surpass 7000 runs and take over 200 wickets in red-ball cricket — a record that places him among the all-time greats.
A Long-Awaited Century
Resuming Day 3 on 77 not out, Stokes reached his hundred with a stylish leg glance off Jasprit Bumrah. It was his first Test century in over two years, coming off 164 balls and laced with nine boundaries. His emotional celebration — a raised fist, a skyward glance, and a crooked finger salute — was a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Ged Stokes.
This hundred followed his last big knock of 155 against Australia at Lord’s in June 2023. While that was a counterattacking effort, this one was more controlled but just as influential in shaping the match.
Elite Club of All-Round Giants
With this performance, Stokes joined the exclusive club of all-round greats to record 7000+ runs and 200+ wickets in Test cricket. Only two others have done it before him — Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis:
- Garry Sobers – 8032 runs & 235 wickets
- Jacques Kallis – 13289 runs & 292 wickets
- Ben Stokes – 7000+ runs & 229 wickets*
A Century and Five Wickets in the Same Match
Stokes also became just the fourth Englishman to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test. His 5/72 in India’s first innings helped bowl them out for 358. He then anchored England’s batting with a commanding 141 off 198 balls, including some aggressive strokes late in the innings, like a straight six and a reverse-swept four off Washington Sundar.
With this rare double, Stokes joined Tony Greig, Ian Botham, and Gus Atkinson as English players to achieve this feat.
Rare Feat Among Test Captains
As a captain, Stokes now stands among an elite group to score a century and take five wickets in the same match:
- Denis Atkinson (WI) vs Australia, 1955
- Garry Sobers (WI) vs England, 1966
- Mushtaq Mohammad (PAK) vs West Indies, 1977
- Imran Khan (PAK) vs India, 1983
- Ben Stokes (ENG) vs India, 2025*
England in Command
England declared after posting a massive 669, taking a 311-run lead in the first innings. Liam Dawson, playing his first Test since 2017, added five runs on Day 3 before Jasprit Bumrah bowled him with a low shooter. Joe Root had earlier dominated with a majestic 150, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.
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