MANCHESTER – As England prepares for the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, captain Ben Stokes has once again proven he’s willing to endure pain for victory. In a thrilling third Test at Lord’s, Stokes delivered a match-winning performance — taking five wickets, scoring 77 vital runs, and producing a game-changing runout of Rishabh Pant — all while nursing a history of serious hamstring injuries.
England edged India by just 22 runs in a Test filled with tension and drama, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Stokes, 34, bowled a massive 44 overs during the Test, including long, grueling spells on the decisive final day.
“I’m not going to lie, I cannot wait to just lie on my bed for four days,” Stokes said after the match.
But the short break hasn’t dulled his determination. Speaking on the eve of the fourth Test, Stokes, now rested and reflective, confirmed he’s willing to push himself again if it means securing a series victory. “If the situation requires it again, then I’ll do what I need to do,” he declared.
🔥 A Series to Remember
Cricket fans and pundits alike have compared the intensity of this England-India series to the iconic 2005 Ashes. “So far, the series has been great to play in and I presume it’s been pretty good to watch,” Stokes said.
Every Test so far has gone the distance — five full days — reflecting the closely matched quality of the two sides. “Two teams going toe-to-toe and not very much separating us at the moment. It’s been good to be a part of.”
England will welcome left-arm spinner Liam Dawson back to the Test arena after eight years, stepping in for Shoaib Bashir, who is out with a finger injury.
⏱️ Over-Rate Penalties Frustrate Stokes
Despite the Lord’s win, England were penalized two World Test Championship points for slow over rates, dropping them from second to third in the standings. Stokes, clearly frustrated, criticized the ICC’s uniform over-rate regulations.
“You can’t have the same rules in Asia, where spin is bowling 70 percent of the overs, as in New Zealand, Australia, or England, where seamers dominate,” he argued. The over-rate issue continues to cast a shadow over otherwise enthralling contests.
🇮🇳 Shubman Gill Accuses England of “Ignoring Spirit of the Game”
Tensions boiled over during the final minutes of Day 3 at Lord’s. After India leveled the first innings at 387, they expected to bowl two overs at England’s top order before stumps. However, Zak Crawley delayed the start by 90 seconds and called for a physio after a minor glove impact — causing England to avoid facing a full over.
The incident triggered an angry exchange and resulted in Indian captain Shubman Gill swearing at Crawley — audio of which was picked up live on-air, prompting an apology from Sky Sports.
Gill, addressing the media before the fourth Test, accused England of “ignoring the spirit of the game.”
“Yes, most teams use delaying tactics... But coming 90 seconds late to the crease? That’s not within the spirit of the game,” he said.
Gill admitted regret for the language used but said emotions were high: “When you see things happening that shouldn’t, sometimes emotions come out of nowhere.”
🏏 Changes in the Indian Lineup
India will likely hand a debut to Anshul Kamboj, a right-arm quick, due to Akash Deep’s groin injury and Arshdeep Singh also being ruled out. Kamboj was drafted in after Nitish Kumar Reddy was sidelined with a knee issue. India will decide between Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna for the Manchester clash.
🧭 What’s Next?
The fourth Test promises even more intensity as both teams look to edge ahead in what has become a fiery, unforgettable series. With personal pride, team rivalry, and WTC points on the line — expect fireworks at Old Trafford.
Whether it's Ben Stokes’ warrior-like resolve or India’s fiery response to perceived injustice, this series has all the ingredients of a modern classic.
