Ben Stokes Breaks Former Captain MS Dhoni’s Record: The third Ashes Test of 2023, which took place at Headingley, had cricket fans on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, England triumphed under the steady leadership of Ben Stokes, recording their first victory in the five-match series against Australia. Stokes’ tremendous 93-run contribution was critical to England’s triumph, allowing them to meet a difficult target of 251 runs.
But England’s victory wasn’t just any old victory. This triumph etched a new page in cricket history, as Stokes now holds the record for most victories as a captain while chasing a target of more than 250 runs in Tests. The previous holder of this record was none other than MS Dhoni, who led India to four such victories. Stokes has now eclipsed Dhoni in terms of victories, reaching a new record of five.
MS Dhoni’s record is broken by Ben Stokes
Here’s the updated standings for the uninitiated:
- Ben Stokes is ranked fifth.
- MS Dhoni (No. 4)
- Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting are number three.
Interestingly, Australia’s Mitchell Marsh’s century in the first innings was reduced to a footnote as England’s overall team performance triumphed over individual heroics. The thrilling game in Leeds demonstrated England’s tenacity and ability to perform under duress.
A visibly pleased Stokes underlined his delight at crossing the finish line in yet another nail-biting encounter when asked about the Headingley spectacle. The English captain praised his colleagues for their teamwork and tenacity in conquering the Australian challenge.
This triumph has given the Ashes series new life, with England now behind 2-1. Fans can expect more exciting cricket action in the next two games. As the momentum shifts in England’s favour, it will be interesting to see how Australia responds in the next matches.
In the middle of all of this, Stokes’ accomplishment is a noteworthy one. His leadership and individual talents are steering England in a positive path. However, he would be the first to confess that records are secondary to team successes. For the time being, he will concentrate on maintaining his momentum and attempting to square the series in the next Test.
Stokes has carved out a special place in cricket history with this new milestone. However, the fiery English captain would undoubtedly surrender all of his personal records for the success of his side. It will be intriguing to see what other records fall as the Ashes series progresses.