As Day 4 of the second Test at Edgbaston moved towards its final session on Saturday (July 5), India looked firmly in control. With a lead of more than 600 runs, the visitors appeared well on their way to a dominant win.
But while India built on their advantage, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif had his eyes on a different aspect of the game, the decisions made by Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain.
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Kaif, never one to hold back on cricket matters, took to social media to share his thoughts. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned the growing praise around Stokes’ leadership, calling some of his choices “confusing” and “overhyped.”
What did Mohammed Kaif say about Ben Stokes?
Kaif pointed to two specific decisions that he found hard to understand. First, he criticised England’s choice to bowl first in the match, a call made on a sunny day with a flat pitch.
Then, he highlighted how Stokes missed a chance to apply pressure on the fourth day, failing to add an extra slip despite multiple edges flying past the cordon.
His post read: “I have never understood the hype around Ben Stokes the captain. On a flat track with the sun shining he decides to bowl, today with some life in pitch edges flying but no extra slip.”
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He didn’t stop there. Kaif also referred to the first Test in Leeds, where England chased down a massive 371-run target. While many credited Stokes for leading the team to that win, Kaif downplayed the captain’s direct impact.
“Batsmen took England to win in first Test but Stokes didn’t score many. Please inform if I have missed any of his hidden leadership master stroke,” Kaif added.
I have never understood the hype around Ben Stokes the captain. On a flat track with sun shining he decides to bowl, today with some life in pitch edges flying but no extra slip. Batsmen took England to win in first Test but Stokes didn't score many. Please inform if I have…
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 5, 2025
While England won the opening Test by five wickets, most of the batting burden was carried by Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, who scored key centuries in the second and first innings, respectively. Stokes could only manage 20 and 33 with the bat.