Ex-India Star Slams Ben Stokes Captaincy Hype: 'Have I Missed Any Masterstroke?'
Former India star Mohammad Kaif believes Ben Stokes has been overhyped as England's Test captain. He listed what he felt were Stokes' errors in the Edgbaston Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on social media, asking his followers to 'inform' him of any 'hidden master strokes' that make him this popular.
Several pundits have labeled Stokes as one of the best captains in English history. Though he hasn't led them close to a World Test Championship title, while also failing to correct historical deficiencies in India and Australia, his aggressive style of leadership is considered revolutionary. Statistically, he has a win percentage of 60, the best for any captain of the country who led in more than 10 matches.
'I have never understood the hype around Ben Stokes the captain," Kaif wrote on X. 'On a flat track with sun shining he decides to bowl, today with some life in pitch edges flying but no extra slip. Batsmen took England to win in first Test but Stokes didn't score many. Please inform if I have missed any of his hidden leadership master stroke."
Stokes' form with the bat has been questionable. He scored 20 and 33 at Headingley in the first Test and got out for a golden duck at Edgbaston in the second. However, he has tried to make up for some of it with the ball, taking five wickets in the first Test and another at Edgbaston.
England are in a precarious situation in the second Test ahead of the fifth day at 72/3 in the chase of 608. Stokes will want to come good with the bat with his ability to hold fort because a win looks far from likely. If he can help the team hold on, it'll just be the second draw under his leadership — no other England captain with more than 10 Tests at the helm saw fewer than two draws.
The first and only draw under him was also a forced one — the rain-washed game at Old Trafford in Ashes 2023. Rain is said to be looming around Edgbaston, too, but is unlikely to cause significant loss of playing time.
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July 06, 2025, 11:47 IST
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