In the final session of the Day 1 of the IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi, England came with a much-improved performance as Joe Root slammed a gritty century. Ben Stokes and co-registered a brilliant 327 for 7 wickets as the game ended for the day.
With Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett falling early, Joe Root guided England to a commanding position as he slammed an unbeaten 106 out of 226 balls. However, Root hit a very unique celebration after claiming his 31st Test century.
Looking at Stokes, Root upheld his pinky finger, with the captain signing the same. This unique celebration left the fans wondering what it was all about. However, this is not the first time the duo has shown this.
So what is this Joe Root-Ben Stokes pinky celebration about?
Ben Stokes initiated this celebration style when England faced India in July 2022. Bowling out India for just 245 with impressive figures of 4/33 Stokes hit this celebration. The trend continued the next morning when Joe Root achieved his 28th Test century.
This innovative celebration drew inspiration from the then-released Hollywood movie “Elvis,” a biographical drama portraying the legendary musician Elvis Presley, played by actor Austin Butler. Stokes, who had watched the movie the night before the crucial Test match, likely influenced the team with this new trend.
Buoyed by the movie’s influence, Stokes encouraged his teammates to embrace entertainment before the series-saving game began. Engaging the team in a conversation, Stokes emphasized the importance of being entertainers, with a finger wiggle gesture. Joe Root, in response, affirmed the team’s identity as “Rockstars.”
Scoring an important century in the on going IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi, Root hit the same celebration with an ecstatic Ben Stokes.
