IND vs ENG: Ben Stokes grabs a stunner to send Shreyas Iyer packing in Vizag

Ben Stokes (Photo Source: Twitter)

In a gripping display of athleticism, England’s skipper Ben Stokes snatched a crucial catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer on Day 3 of the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam. The match was finely poised as India aimed to stabilize after losing early wickets. Shreyas Iyer, under intense scrutiny, sought redemption following a modest 27-run innings in the first match. His departure for 29 runs off 52 balls, punctuated by a couple of boundaries, dashed hopes for a substantial contribution.

Attempting to take on Tom Hartley, his aggressive intent backfired as he lofted the ball awkwardly off the toe end of his bat. The moment called for the England captain to showcase his fielding skills stationed at mid-off. Despite momentarily losing sight of the ball, he recalibrated swiftly and pivoted towards the long-off boundary. His remarkable recovery, especially after a significant knee surgery, highlighted his commitment to the game.

Stokes covered a distance of approximately 25 yards from mid-off and executed a flawless dive to secure a catch that appeared initially improbable. The right-handed batter’s dismissal proved harsh, particularly given his reputation for handling spin bowling adeptly. Notably, it marked his first attempt to take on the spinner in the second innings, which added to the intrigue of the moment.

Here’s the video of Ben Stokes’ fabulous catch:

Ben Stokes skyrockets levels of athleticism 

Ben Stokes’ remarkable athleticism and fielding skills came to the fore during the decisive moments of the series opener in Hyderabad. In a crucial move, he executed a stunning direct hit to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja. His unconventional throw, preceded by a well-timed dive to stop the ball, proved imminent in shifting the momentum of the game. The England all-rounder’s contribution upheld the value of agility and precision in the field and complemented his mastery of the craft.

Coming back to the second Test, Iyer’s dismissal halted India’s momentum just as a budding partnership threatened England’s resolve. The subsequent removal of debutant Rajat Patidar, courtesy of Rehan Ahmed, further bolstered England’s position. As the game stood before Lunch, India found themselves at 130-4 after 35 overs, holding a lead of 273 runs. The pendulum of fortune swung with each delivery and kept the game somewhat alive for the visitors.