England captain Ben Stokes pressed the self-destruct button as his team looked to add 332 more runs to his total on Day 4 of the second Test against India. Stokes became the victim of his lazy running between the wickets, and India’s Shreyas Iyer made sure that he made the all-rounder pay. Iyer even copied Stokes’ celebration after running him out, having been dismissed in the second innings after the England skipper took a brilliant catch running backwards.
Stokes seemed to have miscalculated the run as he looked to be jogging for the most part of it. But, little did the England captain know that Iyer would produce a direct hit to run him out. Here’s the video:
What a throw by shreyas Iyer #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/hR3ecZEzm8
— Virat Kohli Fan Army (@ajeetyadav018) February 5, 2024
After running out Stokes, Iyer replicated the celebration that the England captain had produced after taking his catch earlier in the same match.
Ben Stokes after taking Shreyas Iyer’s catch.
Shreyas Iyer after running out Ben Stokes. pic.twitter.com/xpp8lF6N62
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 5, 2024
Stokes’ wicket was a crucial one for the Indian team as he and Ben Foakes were forming an important partnership for England, in the chase of 399 runs. After Stokes departed, Foakes and Tom Hartley registered a fine partnership of 55 runs for the 8th wicket before the wicket-keeper batter had to depart.
At the start of play on Day 4, England needed 332 runs to win, with 9 wickets in hand. However, the visitors’ approach of going ultra-aggressive against India’s polished bowling attack didn’t reap the rewards ‘Bazball’ had intended.
Most of the England batters got off to good starts, scoring 15, 20 or 25 runs before playing shots that they instantly regretted. India made quite a few improvements in their game after losing the series opener.
Stokes’ men were eventually handed a 106-run defeat, with India levelleing the 5-match series 1-1.
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