"Ben Stokes was pedestrian in India": England captain kicked out of all-time greats list

England captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes has produced a stunning all-round display in the ongoing fourth Test against India in Manchester, but not everyone is impressed by his heroics. In a bold statement, Dodda Ganesh sparked a fiery debate by questioning Ben Stokes’ place among the greats.

Stokes delivered a record-breaking all-round performance in the ongoing fourth Test against India, snaring five wickets and smashing a heroic 141-run knock in Manchester. His brilliance helped England post a mammoth 669, taking a huge 311-run lead over the Indian cricket team.

Dodda Ganesh questions Ben Stokes' place among legends

But Ganesh dismissed the hype, reminding fans that true all-rounders shine in all conditions, not just at home. As the cricket world is buzzing with praise for the England captain, the former Indian cricketer and commentator reminded everyone how Stokes struggled in India.

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He pointed out that Stokes can only deliver at home or in England-like conditions, so he must not be compared with the legendary all-rounders like India’s Kapil Dev, England’s Ian Botham, and Pakistan’s Imran Khan. Ganesh said that Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Imran Khan dominated across the world, so there is no comparison between these icons and modern-era all-rounders.

Dodda Ganesh posted, X: “A genuine all-rounder is the one who delivers irrespective of the conditions. With due respect to Stokes, he was pedestrian in India. The likes of Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Imran Khan will always stay a few notches above the modern-day all-rounders #ENGvIND.”

A genuine all rounder is the one who delivers irrespective of the conditions. With due respect to Stokes, he was pedestrian in India. The likes of Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Imran Khan will always stay a few notches above the modern day all rounders #ENGvIND

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) July 27, 2025

England plays it safe as Ben Stokes avoids bowling on Day 4

As India made a strong comeback on Day 4 of the ongoing Manchester Test, all eyes were on Ben Stokes. Despite being England’s top wicket-taker in the ongoing five-match Test series, the in-form all-rounder didn’t bowl a single over while KL Rahul and Shubman Gill stitched together an unbeaten 174-run partnership after a shaky start at 0/2 on Day 4.

The decision raised questions, especially since Stokes had already taken 16 wickets in the ongoing Test series so far, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings in Manchester. He is known for stepping up in big moments, so his decision not to bowl on Day 4 raised questions.

Notably, Stokes has a history of back and hamstring issues, and with a major Ashes 2025 tour to Australia coming up, it looks like the England camp is being cautious.

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Ben Stokes is being wrapped in cotton wool: Jonathan Trott

Reacting to the call, Jonathan Trott felt England was possibly protecting him from injury, as he had already spent much time with the bat.

Jonathan Trott said on JioStar’s Match Centre Live: “I’m not sure Ben Stokes is the kind of character who lets a partnership build without intervening. If it were up to him, I believe he would have grabbed the ball much earlier—just to see how he felt.”

He signed off by saying, “Stokes is a ‘today, right now’ kind of cricketer. So yes, it’s possible he’s being wrapped in cotton wool—maybe on doctor’s advice. But honestly, if he could bowl, we would have already seen him in action today.”