England vs India: Ben Stokes inspires Joe Root’s men to 31-run victory in dramatic First Test at Edgbaston
England took a 1-0 series lead with Ben Stokes taking three of the five remaining wickets to fall on day four
BEN STOKES inspired England to another famous victory at Edgbaston as they beat India by 31 runs in the First Test.
England's star all-rounder answered the call of duty when he dismissed Virat Kohli early on day four to send Joe Root's men on their way to a 1-0 series lead.
Stokes struck twice in an over in a spell reminiscent of Andrew Flintoff against Australia in the famous Ashes 2005 Test at this ground.
Stokes trapped Kohli lbw on 51 just when the Indian captain looked to marshalling his side towards victory.
Resuming on 110-5, India needed 84 more runs and England knew Kohli's wicket held the key to the game.
The Indian captain scored 149 of India's 274 first-innings runs and single-handedly stood up to England's bowlers in the second innings.
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But when Kohli went, so did India's chances of pulling off one of their best ever overseas Test victories.
Jimmy Anderson gave England the perfect start when he had Dinesh Karthik caught behind by Dawid Malan in the first over of the day.
But India looked to be gaining an advantage when Hardik Pandya led a counter-attack and Kohli flicked Anderson for four to bring up his 50.
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Anderson was replaced by Stokes in the next over, and that's when the damage was done.
Stokes rapped Kohli's front pad before sending Mohammed Shami back to the pavilion as well in the same over.
Adil Rashid came into the attack for the first time on day four, and he once again got rid of Ishant Sharma by trapping him lbw.
And just when Pandya was threatening to pull off an unlikely win for India, Stokes struck again.
Alastair Cook took the catch at first slip as Stokes won the battle of the all-rounders and sealed a memorable win for England.
England will have to find someone to fill Stokes' large shoes for the second Test at Lord's during his court hearing this week.