A calm Ben Stokes glanced through the stands as the trumpets belted out the tune of the Superman theme and the Barmy Army chanted his name.

The England captain was on 99 and was beaten by Washington Sundar a couple of times. As the sound of the trumpets grew louder and the fans waited with bated breath for him to score a much-deserved Test century — his first in more than two years — Stokes adjusted his helmet and eventually leg-glanced Mohammed Siraj to the fence.

India’s Sai Sudharsan returns to the pavilion after his dismissal during the fourth day of the fourth Test match between India and England, at the Old Trafford cricket ground, in Manchester, England, Saturday, July 26, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Special occasion

The Old Trafford was on its feet as Stokes took off his helmet and did the two-fingered salute to the skies. It, indeed, turned out to be a special outing as he brought up his 14th century, following a five-for. Stokes (141, 198b, 11×4, 3×6) eventually guided England to 669 as the hosts gained a massive lead.

Chris Woakes added to India’s woes in just five balls before the lunch as he removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and B. Sai Sudharsan off consecutive deliveries with nothing on the scoreboard. However, showing resilience, K.L. Rahul (87 batting, 210b, 8×4) and captain Shubman Gill (78 batting, 167b, 10×4) defied the English bowlers for more than 62 overs as India ended the day at 174 for two.

Trailing by 137 runs, saving the match is still a long way, but Gill and Rahul have instilled belief in the Indian camp. Making the most of a reprieve, Gill counter-attacked with a cover drive and executed an upper cut as well for two fours off Jofra Archer, while Rahul was more on the defensive.

With the surface easing out as the sun played hide and seek, Stokes did not bowl due to a hamstring pull and England’s attack didn’t have the same venom. Gill and Rahul overcame a barrage of short balls and showed steel to create milestones.

Rahul became the second Asian opener to aggregate 500-plus (508) runs in a Test series in England after Sunil Gavaskar (542 in 1979). With the two well set, India dominated the final session.

Elite club

On a day when records tumbled, Stokes made it to an elite club of all-rounders with 7,000 runs and 200 wickets in the format, alongside Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis.

As the day’s proceedings began, India fancied its chances of wrapping up things quickly, but with Stokes around, there was not much that the bowlers could do. Anshul Kamboj wasn’t given a single over, while Jasprit Bumrah leaked 100-plus (112) runs for the first time in his 48-Test career.

This was also the first time, since 2014, that India conceded 600 runs in a Test innings.

As India registered a dubious record, Brydon Carse and Stokes extended the lead as the latter took on the spinners and went on to add 38 runs off just 34 balls after his ton before holing out to long-on, attempting a big shot against the left-arm spinner.

Stokes has put England in a commanding position. But with Gill and Rahul rising to the occasion, there’s still hope for India.