Ben Stokes' Return Highlights England's Difficult Stand In Fifth Test Against India

England faced a challenging day in the field during the fifth Test against India, despite Ben Stokes making an impactful return to bowling after 251 days. Stokes managed to claim a wicket with his first delivery, dismissing Rohit Sharma for 103. However, India's strong batting lineup, with centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, took the game away from England. James Anderson also reached a personal milestone by taking his 699th Test wicket but couldn't prevent India from building a significant lead.

India's batting prowess was on full display as they ended the day at 473 for eight, securing a lead of 255 runs. The contributions from debutant Devdutt Padikkal (65) and Sarfaraz Khan (56) further solidified India's position in the match. Despite efforts from England's bowlers, including Shoaib Bashir who took four wickets, India's batsmen dominated the proceedings.

Stokes' return to bowling was a notable event, as he had been playing as a specialist batter due to a knee injury. His commitment to not bowl on this tour was overridden by his recovery progress and practice performances. Stokes' delivery to dismiss Rohit Sharma showcased his skill and hinted at a potential return to his all-rounder role.

India's batting strength was evident from the start of day two, as they advanced from an overnight score of 135 for one to 264 without losing any additional wickets in the morning session. Both Rohit and Gill displayed exceptional skill, reaching their centuries before lunch and setting up India for a commanding total.

England struggled to find answers to India's batting lineup, with Mark Wood and Anderson proving expensive. The day ended with India in a dominant position, leaving England with a monumental task ahead to salvage the match.

The performance of India's top order, particularly the centuries from Rohit and Gill, alongside valuable contributions from Padikkal and Khan, has put India in a commanding position in this Test match. England will need an extraordinary effort over the remaining days to challenge India's substantial lead.