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"Never Understood The Hype" Kaif Questions Credentials Of Ben Stokes As England Captain

Akshita Patel

Mohammed Kaif criticises Ben Stokes [Source: @ViratFan100/X.com, Getty]Mohammed Kaif criticises Ben Stokes [Source: @ViratFan100/X.com, Getty]

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has slammed Ben Stokes and questioned his captaincy potential in a scathing attack. After conceding a 607-run lead in the third inning of the Edgbaston Test vs India, Kaif deemed Stokes an overhyped captain.

India put up a massive total of 1014 runs across both innings and gave England a nearly impossible target of 608 runs to chase on the final day of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Shubman Gill alone scored 430 runs in two innings combined.

Mohammad Kaif Baffled By Hype Around Ben Stokes’ Captaincy

Despite the big score, what caught Mohammad Kaif’s attention was Ben Stokes' decision to bowl first after winning the toss on a flat pitch with sunny weather and conditions perfect for batting.

Kaif also pointed out that while England’s batters were the ones who won them the first Test, Stokes himself didn’t contribute much with the bat. 

Mohammed Kaif's tweet [Source: @MohammadKaif/X.com]Mohammed Kaif's tweet [Source: @MohammadKaif/X.com]

In fact, Stokes was dismissed for a golden duck by Mohammed Siraj in the first innings of the current match, the first time he’s ever been out for zero on the first ball in his 202-innings career.

Interestingly Stokes overall Test form has dropped, too. Since the start of 2024, he has managed to score only 664 runs in 27 innings at an average of 26.56 with only 5 fifties and no centuries.

Can England Chase Down 608 Runs?

India have set a massive 608-run target for England in the second Test at Edgbaston, putting themselves firmly in control. Shubman Gill starred with a double century in the first innings and followed it up with another solid knock. England avoided a follow-on thanks to centuries from Brook and Smith but were bowled out for 407. 

India declared at 427/6 in the second innings. Now, England face the toughest chase in Test history, surpassing West Indies’ 418-run record. The highest successful chase at Edgbaston is 378, also against India in 2022. Breaking that will require something truly extraordinary. At stumps on Day 4, England had 72 runs on the board with the loss of 3 wickets, including that of Joe Root.