IND vs ENG Test: R Ashwin defends position on Ben Stokes, the batter, after England captain's century

Former India cricketer R Ashwin defended his criticism of England captain Ben Stokes after facing social media backlash. His initial comments questioned Stokes' batting achievements, but the England captain responded with an outstanding performance in the fourth Test at Manchester, scoring 141 runs and taking five wickets, proving his worth as one of cricket's premier all-rounders.Ashwin had earlier questioned Stokes' batting approach on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat', saying, "Ben Stokes is a fabulous player. I take my hat off to him. But we need to remember one thing. Barring that Headingley heroics in the Ashes, what has he achieved as a batter?"When faced with criticism after Stokes' remarkable performance, Ashwin clarified his stance on social media: "Arrey sir ji, no one doubted his class! He got his first fifer after 2017 this game a hundred after 2 years! This has come because of his traditional test [sic] match approach to batting and not the carefree one he had adopted before this."

Stokes' century was particularly special as it was his first in over two years. He started day two on 77 runs and showed great skill against India's bowling attack. He reached his hundred with a leg-glanced four off Jasprit Bumrah, celebrating emotionally with a tribute to his late father.The England captain's performance was historic. He became just the fourth English player to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test. He also joined an elite group of cricketers, becoming only the third player in Test history to achieve 7,000 runs and 200 wickets, alongside Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers.Stokes' aggressive batting helped England reach their highest-ever total at Old Trafford - 669 runs. He hit several boundaries and sixes before being dismissed for 141, giving England a substantial 311-run lead.