Ben Stokes reacts without reaction after wreaking havoc on Rohit Sharma’s stumps with the first ball for 8 months; Wood, McCullum left stupefied

Throughout the Test series between England and India, there was considerable anticipation surrounding Ben Stokes possibly assuming a prominent role in bowling. Despite the speculation, Stokes didn’t take up the task in the initial four Tests. The English captain stepped up with the ball in the final match in the capital Dharamshala when the visitors were desperate for a breakthrough. And his decision proved to be decisive straightaway, as he immediately made a remarkable impact.

Brendon McCullum (L) is shocked at Ben Stokes’ wicket-taking delivery of Rohit Sharma(X)
Brendon McCullum (L) is shocked at Ben Stokes’ wicket-taking delivery of Rohit Sharma(X)
India emerged victorious on Day 2 of the last Test with captain Rohit Sharma holding the fort and Shubman Gill making their centuries in the opening session. Stokes decided to bowl the 62nd over due to the urgency. The decision he made paid off brilliantly as he unleashed a fiery delivery which demolished Rohit’s stumps and left not only the Indian captain awestruck but also stunned Stokes’ own team – mates and coach Brendon Mccullum with its sheer virility.

Pitching the ball on a perfect length, he generated movement both inwards and away from the batter off the pitch. Rohit was caught off-guard and hung his bat without any footwork, enabling the ball to fly past the outside edge and into the off stump. Sanjay Manjrekar, commentating on air, dubbed it a “magic ball.”

And magic, it was. Quick bowler Mark Wood, who did not take a wicket throughout the innings, was shocked when he put his hands over his mouth, while McCullum buried his face in surprise in the dressing room.

Watch:

One brings two, and that is exactly what happened in the very next over when James Anderson castled Shubman Gill on 110. Anderson extracted reverse swing as the ball sneaked through the bat-pad gate of Gill.

The Indian team had made a strong start to the Test after bundling the English team out for just 218, and finishing Day 1 on 135/1 after Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) and Rohit Sharma smashed half-centuries. Rohit made his 12th century on Day 2’s opening session and was dismissed with 103 out of 162 deliveries.