England captain Ben Stokes made an immediate impact by dismissing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma with his very first delivery on day two of the fifth Test in Dharamsala after his comeback to the bowling crease after knee surgery late last year.
The 32-year-old all-rounder bowled a delivery that seamed off the pitch, shattering Rohit's stumps and ending his innings at 103.
England's assistant coach, Jeetan Patel, expressed amazement at Stokes's performance, calling him a "freak" and noting that it seemed destined for him to take a wicket with his first ball.
Patel emphasised the importance of having Stokes as the third seamer in the attack, especially in challenging conditions like those in Dharamsala.
Stokes, who is on the verge of reaching 200 Test wickets, bowled five overs, conceding 17 runs, including a maiden, before returning to the field for the rest of the day.
Patel acknowledged the significance of Stokes's return to bowling but cautioned against pushing him too hard, recognising that it is still early in his comeback.
Despite initially planning to play only as a batsman in the series due to his knee concerns, Stokes hinted at a return to bowling before the fourth Test.
His decision to take the ball after lunch in the fifth Test proved successful, immediately securing the wicket of Rohit Sharma.
The reaction in the dressing room was a mix of amazement, a sense that it was meant to be, and plenty of laughter, as Stokes delivered a superb ball just as English fans were tuning in.
Patel, while welcoming Stokes's return to bowling, emphasised the need for careful management of his rehabilitation process.
Stokes had been grappling with a left knee injury, which prevented him from bowling in the last three Ashes Tests in 2023 and the subsequent ODI World Cup.
After undergoing knee surgery in November, he has been steadily working towards regaining full fitness.
Despite his notable contributions with the bat in the series, England has already lost the series, with India securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the previous match.
