IND vs ENG 4th Test: Ben Stokes Scripts History, Becomes First English Cricketer To Achieve Huge Test Feat

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Ben Stokes etched his name into cricketing history with a phenomenal all-round performance in the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India. Leading England from the front at Old Trafford, Manchester, the skipper delivered a masterclass that will be remembered for years to come.

Stokes became the first England captain in 148 years of Test cricket to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same match. His exceptional feat came after he claimed 5 wickets for 72 runs across 24 overs in India's first innings and followed it up with a magnificent century that kept England in a commanding position.

The Three Lions, powered by these individual heroics, asserted firm control over the match. This achievement is nothing short of historic. England played their inaugural Test match back in March 1877 against Australia, and in the 1,088 Tests since, 82 men have captained the national side. Yet, none had ever managed the rare combination of a hundred and a five-for in the same Test - until Ben Stokes.

Globally, Stokes joins an elite group of captains to accomplish this feat. Only four others-Denis Atkinson and Garry Sobers of the West Indies, and Pakistan's Mushtaq Mohammad and Imran Khan-had previously achieved this remarkable double.

Moreover, Stokes becomes only the fourth Englishman overall to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test, joining the ranks of Tony Greig, Ian Botham, and Gus Atkinson. He is also just the seventh cricketer to perform this rare double against India, alongside names like Sobers, Collie Smith, Bruce Taylor, Botham, Imran Khan, and Roston Chase.

Adding to England's dominance, Joe Root played a vital role by notching up a superb 150-run innings. With this knock, Root surpassed several legends to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket.

Stokes' record-breaking performance, combined with Root's milestone, marks a golden chapter in England's Test legacy.