Indian cricket will be unbeatable if they have a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes: Irfan Pathan

England all-rounder and Test vice-captain Ben Stokes hogged the headlines in the second Test against West Indies by clinching the Man of the Match award. The left-hander’s contribution was vital in England’s emphatic 113-run triumph over the visitors at Manchester.

Stokes, in the first innings, gained accolades for his resilient 176-run knock to help his side post a massive total of 469/9 on the scoreboard. After flaunting a gritty approach in the first innings, Stokes shifted gears and put his foot on the gas pedal in the second innings, smashing 78 runs off just 57 balls and helping England to set a challenging 312-run target for West Indies.

Stokes shouldered the responsibility with aplomb as England levelled the series 1-1 by registering a comprehensive victory in the second Test. Besides, Stokes also picked up three wickets in the game and was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his stellar performance.

Ben Stokes also climbed to the top of ICC Test all-rounder rankings

Stokes’ started receiving praise from all across the globe following his match-winning performance. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also lauded Stokes and said that the Indian cricket team can become unbeatable if they have a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes in their arsenal.

“Indian cricket will be unbeatable anywhere in the world if they have a match-winning all-rounder like Ben Stokes,” Pathan said in a tweet on Friday.

Indian cricket will be unbeatable anywhere in the world if they have a match winning all rounder like @benstokes38 #matchwinner

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 21, 2020

Stokes’ stellar performance also helped him climb the top of the ICC Test all-rounder rankings. The New Zealand-born cricketer ended Holder’s 18-month reign at the top and became the first England all-rounder to hold the top position since Andrew Flintoff in 2006. His tally of 497 rating points is the highest by any Test all-rounder since Jacques Kallis gathered 517 points in April 2008.

Apart from clinching the top Test all-rounder spot, Stokes also achieved a career-best third position among the batsmen rankings. Stokes is currently tied with Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne on 827 points, while Steve Smith (911) and Virat Kohli (886) are sitting at first and second spot respectively.