In the recently ongoing Test series between India and England, Ben Stokes, the England captain, endured a tumultuous time with the bat, culminating in a disappointing final innings in the fifth Test in Dharamsala. Stokes, who played as a specialist batter, fell for just 2 runs, bowled by R Ashwin after facing only 10 deliveries.
Throughout the series, Stokes struggled to find his form, managing a mere 199 runs in 10 innings. His scores followed a downward trajectory, with each outing seemingly compounding his batting woes. Starting with scores of 70 and 5 in the first Test, Stokes’ performance dwindled with each subsequent match, registering scores of 47, 11, 41, 15, 3, 4, 0, before concluding with the final tally of 2 runs.
The underwhelming performance from Stokes, particularly as the captain of the touring side, raised concerns and invited scrutiny from fans and cricket pundits alike.
Despite his reputation as a dynamic all-rounder capable of turning games on their head, Stokes failed to deliver when it mattered most, leaving England in a precarious position throughout the series.
Stokes’ struggles at the crease mirrored England’s overall batting frailties against a formidable Indian bowling attack, led by the likes of Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah. His inability to convert starts into substantial scores further compounded England’s batting woes, leaving them vulnerable in crucial moments of the series.
WATCH: Ashwin bowled Stokes in Dharamsala test
As the dust settles on the series, Stokes will undoubtedly reflect on his performance and seek to rectify his batting woes ahead of future challenges. The disappointment of a lackluster series will serve as motivation for Stokes to rediscover his form and lead from the front in upcoming engagements.
Ben Stokes’ dismal run with the bat in the Test series against India highlighted the challenges faced by the England team, both individually and collectively. His failure to make a significant impact with the bat underscored the importance of consistent performances in high-stakes encounters, a lesson that Stokes and England will look to heed moving forward.