Mumbai, July 22 – Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, fondly known as Big B, took a playful swipe at England’s Test captain Ben Stokes after India dramatically chased down a stiff target in the final session of the Manchester Test, refusing to settle for a draw. The thrilling five-match series has now tilted in India’s favour, with fans and celebrities alike celebrating the team’s fearless attitude.
The victory came amidst growing tension over whether India would play safe or go for glory on the final day. But what stood out just as much as the win was Amitabh Bachchan’s cheeky reaction to Ben Stokes’ earlier confidence about England dominating the decider.
🏏 Big B’s Tweet That Stirred Twitter
Shortly after India completed their record-breaking chase at Old Trafford, Big B tweeted:
“Ben Stokes ji… kehte hain, draw se kaam chala lo. Hum to jeetne aaye hain! 🇮🇳🔥”
(Translation: Ben Stokes ji says—settle for a draw. We’ve come to win!)
The tweet, laced with sarcasm and patriotism, quickly went viral, amassing over 100,000 likes in hours, with Indian cricket fans flooding the replies with memes, emojis, and gratitude.
Check Amitabh Bachchan’s viral tweet here.
😬 Ben Stokes Had Hinted at a Draw?
In the post-lunch press conference on Day 4, Stokes had confidently stated that “the pitch isn’t doing enough” and “a draw seems more realistic than a result.” The comment was seen as an indirect message that England was looking to block India’s momentum by playing defensively on the final day.
However, Stokes may have underestimated the Indian lineup’s hunger to win. Shubman Gill’s scintillating century, combined with a quickfire 70 from Rishabh Pant, ensured that India reached the target of 317 in just 83 overs, rewriting records for successful fourth-innings chases in England.
🇮🇳 India’s “No Draw” Attitude Praised
Cricketing legends from across the world lauded India’s bold intent:
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Virender Sehwag wrote, “This is how Test cricket should be played. Fire and belief. No fear.“
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Michael Vaughan, often critical of India, admitted, “They played to win. That takes guts. Respect.“
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Even Sachin Tendulkar praised the team for sticking to aggressive cricket in tough English conditions.
India’s stand-in coach, Rahul Dravid, also addressed the mindset in the post-match presser, saying:
“We didn’t come here to draw. We trust our players to chase totals, even in tough situations. That’s the brand of cricket we want.”
🎯 Stokes Responds After the Loss
To his credit, Ben Stokes responded sportingly on Twitter:
“They were better today. No excuses. Hats off. We’ll come back harder.”
Read Ben Stokes’ statement on X.
Still, fans couldn’t resist bringing up past remarks where Stokes dismissed India’s chances, especially during the Lords Test last year, where India also pulled off a stunning comeback.
🎥 Bollywood Meets Cricket Again
Amitabh Bachchan’s social media presence is known for its wit, and this isn’t the first time he’s reacted to cricketing drama. But this tweet struck a nerve—both among Indian fans and some English supporters, who found it “unnecessary” and “unsportsmanlike.”
But Big B later clarified in a follow-up post:
“It’s all in good humour. Cricket is a game of heart. Win or lose, we all love the sport.”
View his clarification post here.
📈 Match Stats Snapshot
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Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
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Target: 317 runs
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India 2nd Innings: 321/5 in 83 overs
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Top Performers:
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Shubman Gill: 138 (179 balls)
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Rishabh Pant: 70 (65 balls)
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Jasprit Bumrah: 4 wickets in 2nd innings
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India now leads the 5-match series 3-1, with one Test remaining at The Oval, and the team is brimming with confidence.
