Skipper Stokes, the all-rounder that keeps on ticking

The last time that happened in Test cricket, India were still six months away from winning their first World Cup.

- Somshuvra Laha

Records have a curious way of unearthing new takers but not when it comes to allrounders, especially the kind that bowls fast.

Which is why Stokes emulating Imran Khan while becoming only the third player to complete the double of scoring 7,000 runs and taking 200-plus wickets in Test cricket, after Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis, isn’t merely an achievement, but a milestone. It’s proof that allrounders aren’t a dying breed yet.

You couldn't have seen this coming when Stokes retired hurt on 66 due to cramps. A night's rest however made way for a more agile version of the England skipper that tried to take a tight single and almost got run out after Anshul Kamboj’s throw hit the stumps at the bowler’s end. Next over, Stokes skipped down the pitch and clobbered Mohammed Siraj through cover for four, signalling a shift in momentum. Following over, Siraj erred in length again and Stokes went knee down for a splendid cover driven four.