LONDON — England captain Ben Stokes revealed he tapped into "dark places" to fuel his heroic bowling performance in the third Test against India at Lord's, a spell that swung the match decisively in England's favor and leveled the series 1-1.
Stokes, renowned for his all-round brilliance, delivered a marathon 14-over spell either side of lunch on Day 4, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding just 34 runs. His relentless accuracy and physical endurance broke India's resistance, setting up a thrilling 28-run victory for England. "I never thought about stopping," Stokes said post-match. "When the team needs you, you find a way."
The Relentless Spell
Stokes' spell was split into two bursts: seven overs before lunch and another seven immediately after. Despite visibly battling fatigue, he dismissed Shreyas Iyer (19) and Ravindra Jadeja (3), both caught behind, to dismantle India's middle order. His economy rate of 2.42 on a flat Lord's pitch underscored his control. "I’ve been in darker places than that on a cricket field," Stokes admitted. "You draw on those experiences to push through."
The 33-year-old all-rounder has previously spoken about his struggles with mental health, including taking a break from cricket in 2021. His ability to channel those challenges into performance has become a hallmark of his leadership. "There’s a difference between pain and injury," Stokes said. "I knew I could keep going."
Turning the Tide
India, chasing 192, were well-placed at 95/3 when Stokes took the ball. His breakthroughs shifted momentum:
- Shreyas Iyer: Caught by Jonny Bairstow off a probing length delivery (India 107/4).
- Ravindra Jadeja: Nicked behind to Bairstow, undone by Stokes' seam movement (India 120/6).
Stokes' spell allowed debutant Gus Atkinson (3/53) and veteran James Anderson (2/32) to capitalize at the other end. India collapsed from 141/6 to 163 all out, with Stokes' intensity setting the tone. "That’s why he’s the best in the world under pressure," said England coach Brendon McCullum. "He wills the game to turn."
Leadership Under Fire
Stokes' performance came amid scrutiny over his fitness. Since returning from knee surgery in January, he had bowled sparingly, managing just 29 overs in the first two Tests. Critics questioned whether he could still deliver as a frontline bowler. "I’ve never doubted myself," Stokes fired back. "Numbers don’t tell the whole story."
His defiance mirrored his 2019 World Cup and Headingley heroics, where he single-handedly dragged England to victory. Teammate Joe Root praised his resilience: "Ben’s ability to dig deep when it matters is unmatched. He’s the heartbeat of this team."
What’s Next?
With the series now level, Stokes hinted at rotating his bowlers for the remaining three Tests. "We’ve got depth, and we’ll use it," he said. England’s next challenge begins July 25 at Trent Bridge, where Stokes’ heroics could again prove decisive.
Reflecting on his Lord’s performance, Stokes downplayed personal glory: "Winning for England is all that matters. If I have to go to dark places to make that happen, I will." For a man who’s made a career of defying limits, this was just another chapter in an extraordinary story.