Watch: Ben Stokes fully fit and fired up to wreck India on Day 5 of Manchester Test

There were doubts about England skipper Ben Stokes’ availability to bowl on the final day (Sunday, July 27) of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in Manchester. However, in a positive development for the England national cricket team, Stokes was seen bowling during the warm-up session.

Ben Stokes delivered a remarkable all-round performance in the fourth Test, completing both a five-wicket haul and a century in the same match. However, he did not bowl in the second innings on Day 4. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill stitched an unbeaten 174-run partnership to keep India's hopes of a draw alive.

Watch: Ben Stokes Returns to Bowling After Not Bowling On Day 4

Ben Stokes provided a huge boost to home team fans by returning to bowl during the warm-up session. After struggling with cramps and injury concerns over the past few days, the England captain was seen actively bowling. He may play a role with the ball as England push for a win against India.

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Good news for England fans ‼️

Ben Stokes has been bowling in the warm-up 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/ppjmC2loaF

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 27, 2025

Ben Stokes returned to bowl the second over on the final day. The right-arm fast bowler conceded just two runs in his first over. He will be crucial for the team as they look to secure the series victory.

India Lose Both Openers for Ducks in Early Collapse During Second Innings

India were in early trouble during their second innings, losing both openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for ducks in the very first over bowled by Chris Woakes. However, captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul came to the rescue with an unbeaten 174-run partnership for the third wicket.

Rahul remained not out on 87 off 210 deliveries, including eight boundaries, while Gill was unbeaten on 78 from 167 balls with 10 fours. The pair helped India reach 174/2 at stumps without any further loss, still trailing England by 137 runs.

With one day left in the match, their gritty stand has given India a faint hope of saving the Test. The resistance drew comparisons to the iconic 376-run partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman against Australia in 2001.

Ben Stokes Becomes First Captain in 42 Years to Score a Century and Take a Five-Wicket Haul

Ben Stokes played a key role in putting England in a dominant position. He took five wickets in the first innings, finishing with figures of 5/72, and followed it up with a century. Stokes became the first captain in 42 years, and only the fourth Englishman, to score a hundred and take five wickets.

He has led by example throughout the series and is currently the leading wicket-taker, with 16 wickets in seven innings at an average of 24.75. With the bat, he has scored 304 runs at an average of 43.42.

Joe Root also contributed with a superb 150 off 248 balls. Ben Duckett (94 off 100), Zak Crawley (84 off 113), and Ollie Pope (71 off 128) chipped in with valuable runs. For India, Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets. The match is crucial for India, who trail 1-2 in the Test series.

Also read: Virat Kohli's brother rips apart Gautam Gambhir-led team India