Stokes finds ways to be a thorn in the visitors' flesh

Being an allrounder now isn't easy, but Stokes has a way of standing apart with his grit. His returns at Lord's? 44 and 33, 2/63 in the first innings and 3/48 in the second. Not exactly sensational.

- Somshuvra Laha

Now think of the Rishabh Pant run out in the first innings. And the way he was in India's face throughout the fifth day on a dead Lord's pitch, getting the ball to seam in, making life hell every ball as a bowler, captain and instigator.

The venue probably matters as well. Like in 2019 at Headingley, where he single-handedly carved one of Test cricket's finest victories. Or Lord's, where no one has won more Player-of-the-Match awards in Tests than Stokes. Then there is the greatest ODI of 2019, the World Cup final that will always be remembered for 'the barest of margin' result, all because the thrown ball from deep took a ricochet off the bat of a diving Stokes and went to the boundary.

That was exactly six years ago to this day, when Jofra Archer had also bowled the Super Over. So, Stokes thought why not start the final day with him. Archer responded by dismissing Rishabh Pant, sending his off-stump tumbling with a jaffa.