Ben Stokes makes history with century and 7000 test runs

Ben Stokes delivered one of the most complete all-round performances of his Test career in the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. In a match already filled with milestones, the England skipper etched his name into cricket’s elite records with two landmark achievements: a gritty century and entry into the 7000 Test runs–200 wickets club.

Stokes Enters the All-Rounders Hall of Fame

Stokes began the day by launching a six to bring up 7000 Test runs, becoming just the third player in Test history to score over 7000 runs and take 200 wickets—joining all-time greats Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis.

Player	Runs	Wickets	Matches Played
Sir Garfield Sobers	8032	235	93
Jacques Kallis	13289	292	166
Ben Stokes	7000+	200	100+

Stokes reached his 200th Test wicket in 2024 against West Indies at Lord’s, and the six that brought up his 7000th run was a statement of intent, underlining his impact in both departments.

A Century to Remember

Stokes' century – his 14th in Tests, second against India, and third as captain – came after a two-year wait, with his previous hundred coming during the Ashes at Lord’s in July 2023. This knock was especially remarkable given the physical challenge: the 34-year-old battled cramps and briefly retired hurt before returning after Jamie Smith’s dismissal. His 141 played a key role in England’s strong response to India’s first-innings total, following his 5/72 with the ball that had earlier restricted the visitors to 358.

ALSO SEE: "I've Been a Fan of Him for a Long Time" – England Legend David Gower Praises KL Rahul

England on Top, Thanks to Milestone Men

The Manchester Test has turned into a celebration of English dominance and personal achievements. Alongside Stokes, Joe Root also reached a major landmark by overtaking legends of the game to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.

Most Test Runs – All Time (After Day 3, 4th Test)
Sachin Tendulkar – 15,921
Joe Root – 13,409*
Ricky Ponting – 13,378
Jacques Kallis – 13,289
Rahul Dravid – 13,288

Root’s 150-run knock at Old Trafford saw him leapfrog Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting in quick succession. He now sits second only to Sachin Tendulkar, underlining his stature as a modern-day batting great.

England in Command

The combined brilliance of Stokes and Root, supported by fifties from openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, has given England a commanding lead heading into the final phase of the Test. With the series poised at 2-1 in England’s favour, following dramatic wins at Leeds and Lord’s, the hosts are eyeing a memorable series win at home. India’s only win in the series came at Edgbaston, where they thrashed England by 336 runs. However, the momentum has clearly shifted.

Ben Stokes' milestone-filled masterclass in Manchester may well go down as one of the defining performances of his career, an innings that not only shaped a Test match but cemented his status among the game's true all-round giants.