ENG vs IND 2025: ‘Arrey sir ji, no one doubted his class’ – Ravichandran Ashwin gives cheeky reply to fan after Ben Stokes’ ton

England captain Ben Stokes scripted history at Old Trafford in Manchester on Day 4 of the fourth Test against India, producing a performance that scripted history. Stokes’ 141 and a five-wicket haul not only pushed England into a strong position with a 311-run first innings advantage but also saw a cheeky reaction from India’s senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Notably, Ashwin had questioned Stokes’ form with the bat. Meanwhile, Stokes answered with a 141 off 198 balls. His century, his first in two years, and after a drought of 35 innings. The English skipper had already made his mark with the ball in the first innings, picking up a 5/72 to dismantle India’s batting lineup. Stokes became only the fifth Test captain in history, and the first in England, to score a century and take five wickets in the same match.

He also joined greats Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis as only the third all-rounder to achieve the double of 7000+ Test runs and 200+ wickets. However, earlier in the series, Ashwin had questioned Stokes’ contributions with the bat. Post Stokes’ knock, a fan took a dig at Ashwin on X.

“Anna (Big Brother) @ashwinravi99, this is Ben Stokes #BenStokes,” a fan wrote.

To which Ashwin answered, “Arrey (Attention), sir ji, no one doubted his class! He got his first fifer after 2017; this game was a hundred after two years! This has come due of his typical test match attitude to batting and not the careless one he had taken before this. Ben Stokes is a fabulous player.

I take my hat off to him. But we must remember one thing. Barring his Headingley heroics in the Ashes, what has he achieved as a batter? The readiness to play a Test match in the way a Test match needs to be played—that is the problem from the leadership standpoint. You’re telling every batter to play an attacking style of cricket, so you should only play like that.”

Anna @ashwinravi99 this is Ben Stokes #BenStokes pic.twitter.com/R7NqxVNIQx

— Joney Singh (@singhjoney2002) July 26, 2025

Arrey sir ji, no one doubted his class! He got his first fifer after 2017 this game a hundred after 2 years!

This has come because of his traditional test match approach to batting and not the carefree one he had adopted before this.

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 26, 2025