As Ben Stokes prepares to mark his 100th Test appearance against India in Rajkot, a remarkable statistic highlights his unparalleled experience compared to the entire Indian batting lineup. Stokes, set to become the 76th international player to achieve this milestone and the 16th for England, boasts a stellar record in Test cricket since his debut during the 2013/14 Ashes series.
With 6251 runs, 197 wickets, and 105 catches in 99 matches, Stokes joins the elite company of Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis as the only players to excel in all three departments in Tests. His experience surpasses that of the entire Indian batting order slated to play in Rajkot, underlining his significance in the England squad.
While India’s lineup lacks the seasoned presence of former captain Virat Kohli and an injured KL Rahul, skipper Rohit Sharma leads with 56 Test appearances. Following him are Shubman Gill (22 matches), KS Bharat (7 matches), Yashasvi Jaiswal (6 matches), and Rajat Patidar (1 match). With the potential addition of a debutant like Devdutt Padikkal or Sarfaraz Khan, the collective experience of India’s lineup amounts to only 92 Test matches—less than Stokes’ individual tally.
Despite facing visa issues, England’s team has commenced training for the third Test after their victory in the series opener and India’s strong comeback in the second match. Ollie Pope’s remarkable innings in Hyderabad and India’s resounding win in Visakhapatnam have set the stage for an intriguing battle in Rajkot.
