England batter Ben Stokes fell prey to a similar foe in Ravichandran Ashwin on the third day of the IND vs ENG 1st Test. Stokes looked a bit wary of Ashwin in England’s second innings, ultimately missing the line on a pitched up delivery of the off-spinner and getting bowled. Former England all-rounder Kevin Petersen, talking about Ben Stokes’ dismissal, said Stokes allowed Ashwin to set him up, resulting in his dismissal.
It seems as if Ashwin has cracked the code on getting Ben Stokes out, with the off-spinner dismissing the England captain for a record 12th time. Ashwin has got Stokes out in Test cricket more than any other batter, surpassing recently-retired David Warner whom the off-spinner has dismissed 11 times in his career.
Ashwin bowled a wonderful pitched up delivery that spun ever-so-slightly after pitching. Stokes looked to defend the ball, but missed the line as the ball went on to topple Stokes’ off-stump.
Speaking about the dismissal during the Tea-break, Petersen said, “Ben Stokes allowed him to bowl. All the other batters were sweeping and reverse sweeping, but he just kept on defending and defending. Very un-Ben Stokes-like. Ashwin was allowed to bowl to him, and I hope he will change that in the coming matches.“
