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England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has shown tremendous skills behind the wickets in the ongoing second Test against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
On a pitch which creates problems for batsmen with an uneven bounce, along with a constant puff of dust, wicket-keeping becomes pretty challenging, but Foakes has impressed everyone with his remarkable skills.
During the first innings, Foakes stumped Axar Patel, and in the second essay, he stumped Rohit Sharma as well as Rishabh Pant. With that, the 28-year-old achieved an astonishing feat. The three stumpings he made in the second Test is the joint highest for an away wicket-keeper in India. Foakes is now on par with Niroshan Dickwella, who claimed three stumpings in the Kolta Test in December 2017.
Furthermore, Foakes has also become the first keeper for England in men’s Test cricket to effect three or more stumpings in a match since Alan Knott in 1968 against Australia at Leeds.
The stunning effort of Foakes impressed many former and current cricketers as they lauded the English keeper for a spectacular show.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer heaped praises on Foakes to concede zero byes in the first innings and effect crucial stumpings in the second essay.
“Really impressed with wicket-keeping skills of Ben Foakes. To concede 0 byes in the first innings in challenging conditions is superb. Soft hands, clean collection, fast to dislodge stumps. Not seen many overseas keepers keep so well here for a long time. #INDvsENG” tweeted Jaffer.
Really impressed with wicket keeping skills of Ben Foakes. To concede 0 byes in the first innings in challenging conditions is superb. Soft hands, clean collection, fast to dislodge stumps. Not seen many overseas keepers keep so well here for long time. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/yT5HyNtV8l
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2021
Veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar appreciated Foakes for exhibiting brilliant work behind the stumps when he stumped his counterpart Pant.
“Absolutely brilliant stumping that from Foakes. Does not get better than that. #PantDismissal” wrote Manjrekar.
Absolutely brilliant stumping that from Foakes. Does not get better than that. 👏👏👏#PantDismissal
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2021
India women cricketer Shikha Pandey said that Foakes reminds her of another incredible Sarah Taylor.
“Ben Foakes reminds me of a certain wicket-keeper batter from England who made us all believe ‘wicket keeping’ is a superpower. @Sarah_Taylor30 “ tweeted Shikha.
Ben Foakes reminds me of a certain wicket keeper batter from England who made us all believe ‘wicket keeping’ is a superpower. 💥@Sarah_Taylor30
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) February 15, 2021
Former England women cricketer Isa Guha termed Foakes as the quickest in the west.
“Quickest hands in the west! #foakes #INDvENG” wrote Isa.
Quickest hands in the west! #foakes #INDvENG
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) February 15, 2021
Veteran India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik praised both Foakes and Pant saying the pair have done a brilliant job.
Brilliant keeping by both the keepers in this test Ben foakes and @RishabhPant17 @coach_rsridhar is a very happy man 😊❤️👍🏽
— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 15, 2021
Here are some other reactions:
Happy birthday to Ben Foakes. He seems to be wrapping up wickets with bows as a form of self-giving. #INDvENG
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 15, 2021
This is glorious to watch. Ben Foakes is next level. #INDvENG
— Rob Lewis (@elitebandwagon) February 15, 2021
Healy-esque from Foakes. Can't pay him a higher compliment than that. #INDvENG
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) February 15, 2021
Incredible Ben Foakes, 1 run-out and 2 stumping in first 30 minutes of Day 3 behind stumps – Leach finally gets his man in this series.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 15, 2021
Been a surprisingly good Test for both wicketkeepers. #IndvEng
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 15, 2021
How good has #foakes been. #INDvsENG
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) February 15, 2021
Ben Foakes keeps at the speed of light. #INDvENG
— Rob Lewis (@elitebandwagon) February 15, 2021
Ben “MSD” Foakes strikes again with lightning speed. Maybe he was even a bit quicker that time. Perhaps the sugar high from the birthday cake in the morning #INDvENG
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 15, 2021
This lad Foakes #INDvENG
— James Coyne (@coynejames) February 15, 2021
A piece of misfortune for Pujara and a brilliant stumping by Foakes means England have had a dream start to the morning.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2021
Ben Foakes 👏🏻
— Joshua Da Silva (@joshuadasilva08) February 15, 2021
Stumpings in Test Cricket
Ben Foakes (6 Tests)
Made – 5
Missed – 1Jos Buttler (50 Tests)
Made – 1
Missed – 5#INDvENG— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 15, 2021