‘Waah life ho toh aisi’ – Fans react as Ben Stokes becomes first captain ever to win Test match without batting, bowling or wicketkeeping

Following England’s 10-wicket triumph over Ireland in the lone Test versus Ireland on June 3, Test skipper Ben Stokes of England set a rare milestone. Stokes, the Test all-rounder who is ranked fifth on the world standings, became the first Test skipper to win the game without participating in the batting, bowling, or wicket-keeping. He chose not to bowl against Ireland due to a persistent left knee problem, and as a result, England’s top order performed well, taking just four wickets in two innings.

During his time playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in 2023, Stokes entered the England squad with some fitness difficulties. Due to a slight toe ailment, he lost the greater part of the event and only bowled one over.

The first time I’d bowled since being back from India: Ben Stokes

Stokes underlined that he had taken steps to protect against Ireland and would only bowl if necessary with the forthcoming Ashes in mind. Stokes spoke about this to the media after the game and said, “I didn’t quite see it so had to adjust myself and landed on my left leg and it twisted in a really strange way. It was fine, I just don’t know what really happened. It was one of those things – but I am 32 tomorrow so that probably explains it.”

Stokes, however, disclosed following the Ireland game that he fell roughly upon his left knee after attempting a catch to remove Curtis Campher from the game on Day 3. On Day 3, Stokes was then observed having trouble moving throughout the duration of the game. Stokes dismissed concerns over his likely absence from the first Ashes game, which begins on June 16 at Edgbaston. The pace all-rounder continued by saying that he had practised bowling before the Ireland game and had plenty of time to recover ahead of the Australia series.

The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder ensured the England fans that he is fit and reassured them by sharing some good news with them. He said, “I bowled this morning – the first time I’d bowled since being back from India, so it would have been about four weeks actually, I got through that and was really happy with where I was. So no, nothing [for England fans] to worry about.”

Fans react over Ben Stokes’s unique captaincy record: