On the fourth day's post-lunch session of the second Test, England's hopes of a remarkable chase suffered a colossal blow when captain Ben Stokes was run out in a crucial phase of the innings. The incident, a result of Stokes' lackluster and hesitant running between the wickets, came at a moment when England was striving to overcome a daunting target of 399 runs set by India.
The turning point came in the 53rd over, a mere 10 overs into the afternoon session. Ben Foakes nudged the ball towards the on side, triggering an attempted run. Stokes responded casually and then sprinted as the reality struck him after he underestimated the risk involved. Shreyas Iyer's exceptional fielding from midwicket culminated in a direct hit, abruptly ending Stokes' innings and dealing a blow to England's aspirations.
This moment of lapse contrasted starkly with England's strategic approach post-lunch, marked by uncharacteristic caution. Stokes, in particular, adopted a defensive stance, accumulating just 11 runs from 29 deliveries, a departure from the aggressive cricket England is known for.
Stokes, a cricketer renowned for his match-turning capabilities, missed a golden opportunity to replicate his heroics similar to the unforgettable innings at Leeds during the 2019 Ashes. There, his unbeaten 131 against Australia showcased his ability to single-handedly steer the team to victory from seemingly impossible situations. The dismissal in Vizag deprived Stokes of the chance to orchestrate a similar rescue mission for England.
With Stokes back in the pavilion, England's reliance shifted to Ben Foakes, the team's last recognised batsman, to mount any form of counterattack. Foakes found an able partner in Tom Hartley as the duo kept frustrating the Indian bowlers by scoring runs briskly. Foakes and Hartley forged a 55-run partnership and just when it looked like pressure was mounting on Rohit Sharma and India, Jasprit Bumrah weaved his magic. A slower ball from Bumrah outfoxed Foakes, who walked back to the pavilion after scoring 36 runs. England still needed 124 runs to win the match at the time of Foakes' dismissal.
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