Ben Stokes Creates History: Becomes First Test Cricketer to Win Four Player of the Match Awards at Lord’s

ENG vs IND: Ben Stokes once again proved why he's regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of this era, delivering a masterclass in grit and leadership in England's thrilling 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord's on Monday (July 14).

The England captain played a pivotal role in all four innings of the contest, scoring 44 and 33 runs with the bat and picking up 2/39 and 3/33 with the ball, to seal a dramatic win that gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

For his heroic all-round performance, Stokes was deservedly named Player of the Match, a recognition that carried historic significance. With this, he became the first cricketer ever to win four Player of the Match awards in Test matches at Lord's, the hallowed ground often referred to as the "Home of Cricket."

In doing so, Stokes surpassed fellow legends Joe Root, Stuart Broad, and Glenn McGrath, each of whom has three POTM awards at this venue. This latest accolade also elevated Stokes to third on the all-time list of England players with the most POTM awards in Test cricket, with 11 awards in 111 Tests.

Among England's Greatest Match-Winners

The elite list is led by Stokes' teammate and England's Test batting mainstay, Joe Root, who has 13 POTM awards in 156 Tests, followed by the legendary all-rounder and former England captain Ian Botham, with 12 awards in 102 Tests.

Stokes' rise to third on this prestigious list further validates his immense value across formats and phases of play. His impact is not just statistical but psychological-often coming through in the biggest moments when his team needs him most.
Stokes and Lord's: A Love Affair in Four Acts

Stokes' first memorable act at Lord's came in 2015 against New Zealand when he smashed 92 (94) in the first innings, followed by a whirlwind 101 off 92 balls in the second, along with 3/38 with the ball. In 2017, he returned to torment the West Indies, taking a career-best 6/22 and scoring a rapid 60 (74). His third Lord's POTM came during the 2019 Ashes, when he scored a majestic 115 not out in the second innings to earn England a vital draw.

Fast forward to July 2025, Stokes once again stamped his authority in a high-stakes battle. With India chasing a modest 193 in the fourth innings, Stokes' bowling spells and tactical brilliance as captain turned the tide.

His late strikes, pressure-filled overs, and a diving run-out of Rishabh Pant in the first innings proved decisive. He led by example once more, etching a famous win for England on July 14, a date already immortalised in English cricket folklore thanks to their 2019 World Cup triumph-also starring Stokes.

"One of Those Feelings": Stokes Reflects

After receiving his record-breaking fourth Lord's POTM award, Stokes said:
"It was one of those feelings, what is it-six years now to the day? Jof [Archer] played a major role in that [2019 World Cup], just had one of those feelings he would do something special again, and he cracked the game open."

He added: "I thought I had taken myself to some pretty dark places before, but today, bowling to win a Test match for your country-if that doesn't get you going, then I don't know what does."

In his own words, "Being an all-rounder means I have four chances to influence the game. If one doesn't click, the others might." That multifaceted influence was on full display at Lord's this week, once again reaffirming that Ben Stokes doesn't just play cricket-he writes unforgettable chapters of it.