Stokes Gives England the Balance that India Crave

Chetan Narula, from Sports Illustrated India,believes the star all-rounders hold all the aces for the rest of the series.

- Chetan Narula

When the Indian squad for the first two Tests against England was announced, there was some intrigue about the inclusion of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder had impressed on the A-tour to Australia in the summer, and also made an impact in the ODI series against New Zealand.

Given his lack of First-Class experience, and that India’s next overseas tour is almost a year away, Pandya’s elevation to the Test level was thought to be premature. Even so, it outlined a certain need for a pace-bowling all-rounder in the Indian dressing room. Former Test skipper MS Dhoni longed for such a player, and now Virat Kohli actively talks about this desire too.

Pandya was left out of the first two Tests, as the team management didn’t think he would fit in the overall scheme of things given the pitches on offer. They did go with a five-man attack to fend off the opposition’s lengthy batting line-up. But, as if to rub it in, England picked a six-man attack, three pacers and two spinners, plus Ben Stokes.

Stokes brings a certain surety to this English side. Sample this: during the Visakhapatnam Test, it was revealed how he enjoys freedom to change fielding positions as per the match situation. There aren’t many teams that allow any one cricketer such a liberty, but Stokes backs it up. His catch at slip to dismiss Virat Kohli – diving full stretch to his right in a split instant – in the second innings was nothing short of spectacular.