On Day 3 of the second Test between India and England in Visakhapatnam, England captain Ben Stokes showcased exceptional leadership by taking a remarkable catch that led to the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer on Sunday, February 4.

Despite a shaky start that saw the early exits of both opening batters, the Indian hosts were regaining momentum. However, in the 28th over, Shreyas Iyer attempted to take on Tom Hartley, stepping down the track for a big shot. Unfortunately, the right-handed batsman mistimed the stroke, connecting with the toe end of the bat. Ben Stokes, positioned at mid-off, made a spectacular effort to execute the catch perfectly.
Stokes, who recently underwent major knee surgery, initially lost sight of the ball but made a swift adjustment, turning towards the long-off boundary to complete the catch. Shreyas Iyer, under scrutiny after a modest first innings score of 27, was aiming for a substantial contribution but had to depart after scoring 29 off 52 deliveries.
This catch by Ben Stokes proved pivotal for England, breaking a budding partnership for the third wicket. The timing was crucial, disrupting India’s plans to enter the lunch break on a positive note. England continued to make inroads, removing debutant Rajat Patidar with a delivery from Rehan Ahmed. At the end of 35 overs, India was at 130-4, holding a lead of 273 runs. Stokes’ remarkable fielding prowess once again played a significant role for England, echoing his impactful run-out in the first Test in Hyderabad.

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