@PTI

Ben Stokes just did something absolutely mental at Old Trafford. The England captain became the first skipper in the country's Test history to score a century and grab a five-wicket haul in the same match. We're talking about a feat that's rarer than hen's teeth.

England have had 81 different Test captains since 1877 starting with James Lillywhite. Not one of them managed this double until Stokes rocked up in Manchester and decided to write his name in the record books.

The stats are bonkers. He took 5/72 in India's first dig, bowling his heart out for 24 overs. Then he comes in with the bat and smashes 141 off 198 balls. Eleven fours, three sixes, and pure class from start to finish.

But here's the thing that got everyone emotional. This was Stokes' first Test ton in two years. Two whole years! His last one was that incredible 155 against Australia at Lord's back in 2023, where he nearly pulled off another miracle but came up just short.

Stokes had been copping it about his batting form. People were asking questions. His average had dropped to levels he hadn't seen in six years. But that's Stokes for you - when his back's against the wall, he comes out swinging.

England's total was absolutely massive. 669 runs. Their fifth-highest ever in Tests and the biggest score anyone's made at Old Trafford since Australia got 656 back in 1964. The lads batted for over 157 overs, which is the longest anyone's gone in this whole Bazball event.

Only four other captains in Test cricket history have done what Stokes just did. The last was Imran Khan in 1983, also against India. Before that, you're going back decades. He's now only the third ever to get 7000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets. The other two are Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis.

For England specifically, only three other players have managed a century and five-fer in the same Test. Botham did it five times, and Flintoff got one. So did Woakes. Now Stokes joins the club.

The series numbers tell everything about how crucial he's been. Leading wicket-taker with 17 at 25 runs each. Then 304 runs with the bat at over 43. It's like watching Flintoff in 2005 all over again.

India weren't just going to roll over. After England built that massive 311-run lead, the visitors were in proper trouble at 0-2. Woakes had knocked over both openers in the first over. However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill had other plans. These two put on 188 runs, and suddenly India were back in the game. Rahul made 90, Gill got his hundred. Quality batting when it mattered most.

Then, when they got out, Jadeja and Sundar turned up with centuries of their own. Batted the entire last day, 203 runs between them, game saved.

Stokes himself was running on fumes by the end. Had to retire hurt with cramps while batting on day three, but came back to finish his ton. There were serious doubts about whether he could bowl on the final day because of the workload. The man calls himself the "bionic man" after his hamstring surgery in January.

England will be gutted that they couldn't close out the series after being in such a commanding position. They're still up 2-1, but this was their chance to put India away for good.

At 34, with dodgy knees and hamstrings held together by hope and prayer, he's still producing magic when England need it most.

From Headingley 2019 to the World Cup triumph, Stokes has made a career out of turning up when it matters. This double at Old Trafford is just the latest chapter in what's already been one hell of a story.