Unplayable Delivery, Unbreakable Record: Ashwin Makes History, Leaves Ben Stokes Puzzled

In the scorching heat of Hyderabad, a battle of wits unfolded on the cricketing battlefield. Ashwin, the wily Indian spinner, wielded his weapon of choice – the spinning ball – to outfox the mighty Ben Stokes, dismissing him for a record-equaling 12th time in Test cricket.

England, already wobbling at 140/4, pinned their hopes on Stokes, the swashbuckling all-rounder. But Ashwin, a master of weaving webs, had other ideas. He conjured a devilish delivery, a tossed-up potion of spin and deception, that pitched right on the middle stump and danced away like a mischievous jinn. Stokes, known for his fearless charge, faltered for a moment, his bat failing to decipher the ball’s wicked trajectory. The off-stump, like a silent sentinel, watched in amusement as the red orb rattled it, sending Stokes back to the pavilion and England’s hopes tumbling further.

This wasn’t just another dismissal; it was a testament to Ashwin’s mastery over Stokes. Across 623 deliveries, the Englishman had managed only 232 runs against the Indian magician, averaging a paltry 19.33. Their clashes were becoming a dance of predator and prey, with Ashwin always one step ahead, weaving traps with his spin, forcing Stokes to adopt a cautious demeanor, a stark contrast to his usual audacious batting.

So, as the dust settled in Hyderabad, a new chapter was etched in the cricketing book of legends. Ashwin, the orchestrator of spin, had not only silenced a powerful bat but also leveled a record set by the great Kapil Dev.

IND vs ENG English Skipper Ben Stokes Becomes Ravichandran Ashwin’s Top Victim in Test Justicehttps://t.co/Q42BvTojWb#INDvsENG #BenStokes #RavichandranAshwin#TestCricket #CricketRivalry #HyderabadTest#TopVictim #DFoxMarketing #DigitalFoxMedia pic.twitter.com/AvvvlGK5Kj

— Digital Fox Media (@DFoxupm) January 27, 2024