Stokes celebrates after scoring his fourth Test hundred
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
England all-rounder Ben Stokes punished India for their lacklustre fielding on the second day in Rajkot as he scored a breathtaking century to further cement his side’s dominance.
Stokes has now scored four Test centuries in his Test career, all of which have come in different continents – Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.
Starting off the day on 311/4, Stokes and Moeen Ali added 32 runs onto their 30-run partnership, during which Moeen brought up his century, before he was clean bowled by Mohammed Shami for 117 off 213 balls, which included 13 boundaries.
Moeen raises his bat after bringing up his fourth Test century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Stokes and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow kept the runs flowing as they amassed a 99-run stand, during which Stokes sailed past his half-century, before Bairstow was caught behind off the bowling of Shami for 46.
Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid both fell to Ravindra Jadeja shortly after, but Stokes kept on fighting and recorded his century during a 52-run partnership with Zafar Ansari, which stabilised England’s innings.
Stokes, who was dropped twice by India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, went on to make 128 off 235 deliveries, which included 13 boundaries and two sixes, before his resistance came to an end when he was caught behind off the bowling of Umesh Yadav.
With Stokes and Moeen having made hundreds on the second day, coupled with Joe Root’s brilliant century on day one, it marked the first time since November 2009 that three players in the same team have scored centuries against India in the same innings of a Test match. It was also the first time since 2011 that three England players scored centuries in the same innings of a Test match.
England ended up being bowled out for 537 when Ansari was trapped lbw off the bowling of Amit Mishra for 32.
Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Shami, Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin snapped up two wickets apiece. Mishra, meanwhile, claimed one.
Trailing by 537 runs, India got off to a strong start as Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay put together an unbeaten 63-run partnership before stumps was called.
Gambhir finished on 28 off 68 balls, which included four boundaries, while Vijay also hit four boundaries during his knock of 25 not out, which came off 70 deliveries.
India ended day two on 63/0 and will continue batting on Friday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.