Indian team will be unbeatable if they have an all-rounder like Ben Stokes – Irfan Pathan

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons the Indian team will be unbeatable if they have an all-rounder like Ben Stokes. England all-rounder has been in sublime form in the last two years and he is currently the best all-rounder in the world. Stokes came up with a brilliant performance in the second Test match as he delivered with both bat and ball.

 

The southpaw batsman scored a patient knock of 176 runs in the first innings. Stokes faced 356 balls in his 487 minutes innings, which is his longest innings in the Test fold. The left-hander scored his 10th Test century and helped England in posting a competitive total of 469 runs in the first innings.

 

Subsequently, he scalped a crucial wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite in the first innings after bowling 11-over spell on the trot. In the second innings, England wanted quick runs and Stokes once again put his hand up to take the responsibility.

 

The southpaw scored a blistering knock of 78 runs off just 57 balls with the help of four fours and three maximums. Stokes’ fifty came off just 36 balls, which is the fastest ever fifty for any England opener in the Test match. Consequently, England were able to set up an imposing target of 312 runs for the West Indies on the final day.

 

Sharmarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood were then going well for the West Indies after they had put a 100-run partnership. However, Stokes was able to dismiss Blackwood, who had got West Indies over the line in Southampton.

 

Stokes also dismissed Alzarri Joseph and overall took three wickets. The all-rounder scored a total of 254 runs in the second Test match and bowled his heart out to take three wickets. It was a complete performance from the England’s talisman and thus he was awarded the Player of the match award.

 

Meanwhile, India hasn’t produced a consistent all-rounder since Kapil Dev has retired. Hardik Pandya is doing well but he still has a long way to go and prove his mettle in the Test matches.

 

Irfan Pathan took to Twitter to share his thoughts. The tweet read as, “Indian cricket will be unbeatable anywhere in the world if they have a match winning all rounder like @benstokes38 #matchwinner”.