Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to X to lavish praise on England captain Ben Stokes after his remarkable bowling effort in the fifth day of the third Test at Lord’s. Irfan remarked, “Ben Stokes bowled an 9.2 over spell on Day 5 of a Test match — pure grit. He’s not just a 4D player, he’s the heart of this England team. Giving it everything.”
His tweet highlighted how Stokes delivered two crucial wickets—those of night‑watchman Akash Deep and opener KL Rahul—during a disciplined spell conceding just 34 runs from 14 overs, at an economy rate of 2.4. That fell under Day 5’s drama as England defended a target of 193 and forced India into deep trouble with eight wickets down at lunch.
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Ben Stokes bowled an 9.2 over spell on Day 5 of a Test match — pure grit. He’s not just a 4D player, he’s the heart of this England team. Giving it everything.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 14, 2025
Stokes’s Series Contribution and Earlier Impact
Irfan Pathan also reminded fans of Stokes’s role earlier in the match, pointing out that in England’s first innings at Lord’s he delivered 20 overs, snared two wickets—Karun Nair (40) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (30)—while giving away 63 runs at an economy of 3.2.
Across the series, Ben Stokes has now claimed 10 wickets in three matches at an average of 31.00. Irfan’s comments underscored how the all‑rounder has stepped up with the ball at pivotal moments to boost England’s chances—even in a series marked by shifting momentum.
Context of the Lord’s Test and Series Stakes
England and India are locked in a tense final Test of the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, with the series tied 1‑1. On that decisive Day 5 at Lord’s, India began with 193 to chase, but after early setbacks the pressure mounted.
When Stokes struck Rahul lbw and earlier accounted for Akash Deep, England had India at roughly 58 for 4 the previous evening. Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes then chipped in to help dismantle the lower order, reducing India to 112 for 8 by lunch, still 81 short. At that point England needed only two more wickets for the victory.
England’s bowlers, led by Archer, Woakes and Stokes, dominated the morning session and effectively sealed the game. Stokes’s fearless leadership with the ball at a critical juncture prompted Irfan’s praise and reinforced why he is considered the heartbeat of the England side in this high‑stakes match.
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