‌IND vs ENG | Twitter reacts to gentlemanly English ensuring memorable debut for Jurel with fielding blunders

02/16/2024

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Cricket, a game that originated on English shores, is famously regarded as the Gentleman’s game. But the English duo of Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope seem to have taken the moniker to heart as the captain and vice-captain duo both dropped debutant Dhruv Jurel in Rajkot to provide him a memorable outing.

Despite the fall of a couple of wickets in the morning session on Day 2 of the third Test between India and England, Ravichandran Ashwin and Dhruv Jurel steadied the ship for the Indian side to take them past the 400 runs mark. Although the road was smooth, it eased up to a greater extent after Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope made gross blunders in the field to offer Jurel survivals.

It was before the fifth ball of the 115th over that the first slip was shifted to leg slip with two close-in fielders at extra cover and mid-wicket. Tom Hartley dropped the length short and wide outside the off stump with the ball turning away from the debutant. Jurel rocked back for the pull and found Ollie Pope dropping a regulation sitter at mid-wicket. While Ben Stokes was disappointed with that put down from his deputy, the Three Lions skipper went on to replicate a similar act after just 19 deliveries.

On the final ball of the 118th over, Mark Wood varied his length by dishing a full-pitch delivery at the leg stump line, and the batter squared up for the flick. Eventually, the ball ricocheted off the bat towards leg slip where Ben Stokes dropped another catch. Although the ball came at a good pace towards the Durham star, the ball thudded straight into his palm, and hence the catch could’ve been taken. Seeing the gentlemen of cricket be so ‘gentle’ at the debutant, the Twitterverse could not shy away from scribbling their views.

Unbelievable!

pic.twitter.com/daR48w1ZiH
— Jas Pope (@jas_pope93438) February 16, 2024

What a drop!

pic.twitter.com/ggbEeeGIfM
— Jas Pope (@jas_pope93438) February 16, 2024

True

Probably first time I've seen Stokes drop a catch 😬
— Luke Bllnghm 🔴🏏 (@LukeBully21) February 16, 2024

Maybe!

First time I've seen Stokes drop a catch.
— Chocolate lover (@fakepanjabi) February 16, 2024

Superb

Warra fielding stokes warra drop repeat them more and drop the ashes down under too
— Mid (@Mid48265236) February 16, 2024

Simple

A simple catch drop by Stokes, Jurel Survives.#INDvsENGTest #INDvsENG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/hii3xmROTn
— Cric Boy (@RA12120116) February 16, 2024

Didn't end up well!

Man Ben Stokes!! What a brain!!!

Literally playing with the players' ego out there.

Sets up Ollie Pope at mid on, Hartley bowls an intentional half volley, Jurel pulls it right to Pope. Boy Jurel got lucky with the drop!!

Earning wickets on a flat pitch isn't an easy skill
— Rax (@rantnmusic) February 16, 2024

Sad

Stokes nay uskay spell ki last ball par catch drop kardiyaa 😂😂 https://t.co/D8iv0odo2i
— Taimoor Abbasi (@FracturedMalang) February 16, 2024

Oh no!

Oh Ben Stokes! The last man - or second last after Jadeja - in this game to drop a catch has dropped a catch.

Joe Root caught napping yesterday, too.

England really not up to the mark in the field in this game after the long break in Abu Dhabi.#INDvsENGTest #INDvsENG
— Jatin Khandelwal (@Jatin_Cricket_) February 16, 2024

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