• Ben Stokes resumed bowling after almost nine months during India vs England fifth Test in Dharamsala.

  • Stokes surprised fans with the dismissal of Rohit Sharma on the very first ball of his spell.

‘Absolute cinema’: Fans astonished as Ben Stokes cleans up Rohit Sharma on his first delivery in 251 days – IND vs ENG 2024
Ben Stokes cleans up Rohit Sharma (Image Source: Twitter)

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The fifth and final Test of the England tour of India 2024 has turned out to be nothing short of spectacular, with unexpected twists and breathtaking moments that have left cricket enthusiasts around the world in sheer amazement. While the contest might be a dead rubber, the players continued to deliver outstanding performances in the series finale at Dharamsala, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

One such unforgettable moment occurred when English skipper Ben Stokes, after a hiatus of 251 days, took up the bowling duties and delivered a magical ball to dismiss the formidable Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s masterclass

As India resumed their innings at 135/1 on Day 2 after a stellar bowling and batting performance on the opening day, the stage was once again set for some remarkable performances. Rohit, leading from the front, showcased his batting prowess by slamming up a sensational century. Shubman Gill, too, added to the excitement with a magnificent century of his own.

The game seemed to be slipping away from England’s grasp, but little did everyone know that Stokes had a surprise up his sleeve.

Ben Stokes’ unexpected move and magical return to bowling duties

In a surprising turn of events, Stokes, known for his all-round abilities, decided to take matters into his own hands and assumed the role of the bowler. This move caught many off guard, especially considering the anticipation surrounding Stokes’ bowling in the India series, which he refrained from doing in the first four Tests to not stress his knee. Notably. Stokes had been grappling with a knee issue and even underwent surgery to treat it last year.

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Stokes’ unbelievable delivery leaves fans astonished

To the amazement of fans and players alike, Stokes delivered a magical ball on his very first delivery after a 251-day bowling hiatus. The ball, pitched on a good length, angled in and seamed away off the pitch. Rohit, caught off guard, left his bat hanging without moving his feet, and the ball ripped past the outside edge, hitting the top of off stump. Commentators were also left awestruck by the unexpected wicket Stokes picked.

Here’s the video:

Unforgettable reactions

The on-field reactions were equally captivating, with Mark Wood, the fast bowler, expressing his astonishment by putting his hands over his mouth. In the dressing room, even England’s head coach Brendon McCullum was shocked, unable to believe the spectacle unfolding on the field.

Fans, too, flooded social media platforms with a plethora of unique and enthusiastic reactions as they shared their disbelief and admiration for Stokes’ exceptional comeback with the ball.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.