Ben Stokes Hits Century, England Dominate as India Struggle in Fourth Test at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER – England captain Ben Stokes ended his two-year wait for a Test century with a brilliant 141-run innings, propelling England to a mammoth 669 all out on Day 4 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. The hosts now enjoy a commanding 311-run first-innings lead, putting them firmly in control of the match and the five-match series, which they already lead 2-1.

England’s total is now their fifth-highest in Test history, thanks to powerful performances from Stokes and Joe Root, who scored a sublime 150 on Day 3.

Stokes resumed on 77 not out and thrilled the Manchester crowd with a display of aggressive yet calculated batting. He brought up his 14th Test hundred—his first since the Ashes in June 2023—by glancing Jasprit Bumrah for four. Celebrating with a clenched fist and a gesture in memory of his late father, Ged Stokes, the skipper continued to dominate, hitting sixes and boundaries before falling to Ravindra Jadeja while attempting another big shot.

India Collapse Early, Gill Leads Recovery

In a dramatic start to India’s second innings, Chris Woakes struck twice in the very first over. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both fell for ducks, leaving India at 0-2. Woakes nearly completed a hat-trick, but skipper Shubman Gill survived the delivery.

Read more: Crawley, Duckett Lead England Fightback After Pant’s Heroics

Gill, who has had a mixed series so far, steadied the ship alongside KL Rahul. By tea, the pair had taken India to 86-2, with Gill on 52 not out and Rahul unbeaten on 30, trimming the deficit to 225 runs.

Gill did survive a scare on 46 when a top edge off Brydon Carse flew high to point, but Liam Dawson couldn’t hold onto the chance. Despite the early setbacks, the duo’s partnership has kept India’s slim hopes alive.

England in Command

England’s bowlers now hold the upper hand, with a massive lead and early breakthroughs. Interestingly, Stokes chose not to bowl during the second session, though team officials confirmed he remains fit after taking 5-72 in India’s first innings.

Stokes’ historic feat makes him only the fourth England player to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test, joining greats like Ian Botham and Tony Greig.

With two days remaining and a fragile Indian batting lineup under pressure, England look poised to seal the series in front of a home crowd unless India can pull off a remarkable turnaround.

Series Standings:

• England lead 2-1 in the five-match series

• Fourth Test, Day 4: England 669 all out, India trail by 225 runs in second innings at 86-2

Key Performances:

• Ben Stokes – 141 (14th Test hundred) & 5 wickets

• Chris Woakes – 2 wickets in 2 balls

• Joe Root – 150

• Shubman Gill – 52* (leading India’s resistance)