India opening batsman Lokesh Rahul admitted that the Indian team was following England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ marathon knock during the third Test of the 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia at Headingley.
It is worth mentioning that the Indian team was also playing a Test match on their tour of West Indies at the same time. “It’s funny because we were playing a Test match, too, in Antigua. But we were following the scores on the manager’s phone, as we’re not really allowed to use phones during the game.
“The manager kept checking for scores and we kept following ball-by-ball. What he [Ben Stokes] did was unbelievable. It will always remain the best Test match that was ever played. To play an innings like that is incredible. He’s a phenomenal player and phenomenal athlete – you can watch that match over and over again,” Rahul was quoted as saying during the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
Ben Stokes to Kings XI Punjab?
It was earlier reported that Kings XI Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin is in talks with Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals ahead of the next season of the tournament. If the trade sees the daylight, Rahul would be among the top options to lead Punjab in IPL 2020.
Further praising Stokes, Rahul considered him to be a player which he would want to have at Kings XI. “He can bowl, he’s a phenomenal fielder, he’s played out there before and he’s had a great impact on the teams he’s played for. I hope he can play for my team, it’d be great to have him on my side,” Rahul said.
Stokes had failed to create an impact in IPL 2019. In nine matches, he had scored 123 runs at an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 124.24. With the ball in hand, Stokes dismissed six batsmen at an economy rate of 11.22.
