Watch: Sai Kishore sends former England captain Ben Stokes packing in County Championship clash

Watch: Sai Kishore sends former England captain Ben Stokes packing in County Championship clash originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Gujarat Titans spinner R. Sai Kishore clean-bowled Ben Stokes during Gloucestershire's County Championship match against Durham.

The wicket served as quick revenge after Stokes had bowled out Kishore for a duck on Day 1 of the clash.

Kishore's impressive delivery ended a fluent 45-run knock from Stokes at Chester-le-Street.

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Sai Kishore sends former England captain Ben Stokes packing in County Championship clash

2026 has seen Indian bowlers make their mark in English County Cricket. First it was Manav Suthar who claimed 11 wickets across two red-ball matches for Warwickshire, followed by Kuldeep Yadav who impressed with 9 wickets across five Metro One-Day matches for Yorkshire.

Now another Indian spinner has decided to join, as R. Sai Kishore produced a memorable moment in the County Championship after knocking over former England Test captain Ben Stokes. Playing for Gloucestershire against Division Two leaders Durham, the left-arm orthodox spinner delivered a beauty to bowl the star all-rounder during Durham's first innings.

The dismissal held extra significance following the events of Day 1 at Chester-le-Street. Batting late in Gloucestershire's opening innings of 137, Sai Kishore was clean-bowled by Stokes for a three-ball duck, giving the Durham star early bragging rights in their personal duel. Sai Kishore wasn't done however.

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Sai Kishore settles score with Ben Stokes at Chester-le-Street

The GT bowler turned the tables on Day 2 with a brilliantly flighted delivery. Floating the ball through bat and pad, the Indian international shattered Stokes' stumps just as the destructive batter was threatening to pull away on 45 off 43 deliveries.

The captivating exchange between the two international stars quickly caught the attention of cricket fans online. Video clips of Sai Kishore's subtle drift and turn to dismiss Stokes went viral across social media, showcasing a high-quality contest in English domestic conditions.

Stokes looked in commanding touch during his brief stay, striking seven boundaries and a six to put Durham in control. However, Sai Kishore maintained a tight line, eventually tempting Stokes into a drive before finding the inside edge to send him packing.

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Indian spinners continue to dominate English county cricket

Sai Kishore's battle with Ben Stokes underscores the immense value of Indian players featuring in county cricket. Competing in English conditions against world-class opposition provides invaluable exposure for spinners aiming to refine their craft outside traditional subcontinent turners.

Exchanging dismissals with a legendary campaigner like Stokes demonstrates both the competitive fire and technical skill Kishore brings to Gloucestershire.

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Yadav, Suthar and now Kishore have all thrived in whatever limited games they have played in county cricket. While the sample size might be small for now, it doesn't change the fact that the spinners have impressed the fans in England.

It's also an important tournament for Kishore himself as the Tamil Nadu spinner was also snubbed from South Zone's squad for the ongoing Duleep Trophy. At the same time, he has played only four T20Is for the national team and none in the Test and ODI formats despite impressive outings in the domestic circuit.

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