When the pressure reaches its zenith and the hallowed turf of Lord’s demands something extraordinary, Ben Stokes delivers. In the third Test of the England-India series, Stokes not only inspired his team to a dramatic 22-run victory but also carved his name atop the record books by achieving what no cricketer before him has managed at the “Home of Cricket.”

Ben Stokes’ all-round brilliance in Lord’s Test puts him on the top an elite list

As England’s captain, Stokes epitomized resilience and ingenuity on both sides of the game. Across two intense innings, he scored crucial runs—44 and 33—while also claiming two wickets in the first innings and an emphatic three in the second, bowling with relentless intensity and unwavering focus. His direct-hit run-out further showcased his influence as a fielder, shaping the course of a fiercely contested match.

Such was his impact that, by overcoming a spirited Ravindra Jadeja-led resistance on the final evening, Stokes was deservingly named Player of the Match. But the accolade signified much more: with this award, Stokes became the first player to ever win four Player of the Match (POTM) awards in Test matches at Lord’s—the most by any individual at cricket’s most iconic venue. This feat saw him eclipse Joe Root, Glenn McGrath, and Stuart Broad, who each have three such awards at Lord’s, underlining Stokes’s unrivaled knack for rising to the occasion on historic grounds.

His record-breaking journey at Lord’s began in 2015 with a memorable century and a three-wicket haul against New Zealand, continued with an all-round masterclass against the West Indies in 2017, and a match-saving hundred during the 2019 Ashes. Now, his 2025 heroics have cemented his legacy further, as five wickets and vital runs turned the tide in a nerve-fraying contest.

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Stokes’ relentless leadership and the art of inspiration

It is not just the statistics that set Stokes apart—it is his attitude and the aura he brings to every Test. On the final day against India, with the outcome hanging by a thread, Stokes dug deep, bowling an eleven-over spell laced with grit and aggression. His willingness to push through pain and fatigue set the example for his team, instilling belief that victory was always possible, no matter the odds.

At the post-match presentation, an emotional Stokes reflected on the relentless nature of being an all-rounder: “I am an all-rounder, I get four opportunities to influence the game, one of the great things of being an all-rounder is if one thing doesn’t quite click then you have the other. I had bowled an important spell, I was pretty pumped up“.

This unyielding drive, combined with a rare ability to raise his game at pivotal moments, has made Stokes the pulsating heart of England’s Test team. Never accepting defeat, always pushing boundaries, he has redefined what it means to be both captain and match-winner at Lord’s.

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