RAJKOT — Ben Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years and a blistering opening partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put England firmly in control on the second day of the fourth Test against India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Stokes’ Masterclass with the Ball
Stokes, bowling for the first time since July 2023, delivered a sensational spell of 5-73, his first five-wicket haul since 2016, to dismantle India’s lower order. His reverse-swing mastery left the hosts reeling, restricting them to 445 after they had threatened a much larger total. "I just tried to keep it simple and let the ball do the talking," Stokes said at the close of play. "The pitch had a bit in it, and once we got the ball reversing, it became a different game."
Key Moments in Stokes’ Spell
Stokes’ spell was punctuated by crucial breakthroughs:
- Dismissing Ravindra Jadeja (112) with a searing inswinger that trapped him lbw.
- Cleaning up Jasprit Bumrah with a yorker that shattered his stumps.
- Removing Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj in quick succession to wrap up the innings.
Crawley and Duckett’s Dazzling Stand
England’s openers responded emphatically, racing to 153/0 at stumps, with Crawley (76*) and Duckett (69*) untroubled by India’s much-vaunted pace attack. The pair took advantage of a flat pitch, scoring at nearly five runs an over, and leaving India searching for answers. "We wanted to be positive from ball one," Duckett said. "The pitch is good for batting, and we didn’t want to let their spinners settle."
Highlights of the Opening Partnership
The duo’s aggressive approach paid off:
- Crawley hammered three sixes off Ravichandran Ashwin, including a towering straight hit.
- Duckett’s sweep shots neutralized India’s spinners, particularly Jadeja.
- England’s 150 came up in just 30 overs, the fastest opening stand of the series.
India’s Struggles with the Ball
India’s bowlers lacked penetration, with Bumrah and Siraj failing to generate movement, while Ashwin and Jadeja were unusually wayward. Captain Rohit Sharma admitted, "We didn’t bowl well enough. The ball got soft, and we couldn’t create pressure. Tomorrow we need early wickets."
What Lies Ahead
With England trailing by just 292 runs and all wickets intact, the third day could define the match. If Crawley and Duckett continue their dominance, England could seize a decisive lead. Meanwhile, India will hope for a morning breakthrough to trigger a collapse. "The first session tomorrow is crucial," said former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. "If England bat through it, they’ll be in the driver’s seat."
As the sun set in Rajkot, England’s position looked commanding. Stokes’ heroics with the ball and the openers’ fireworks have set the stage for a thrilling contest. The question now is whether India can fight back or if England will press home their advantage.