Why Did Ben Stokes Bowl A 7-Ball Over During ENG Vs IND 1st Test Match?

On Day 1 of the 1st Test match between England and India at Headingley, a strange and unexpected moment took place involving English skipper Ben Stokes.

While bowling in the 51st over of the match, Stokes delivered a ball that was edged by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The ball first touched Harry Brook’s hand at second slip and then hit onto the helmets kept on the ground behind the wicketkeeper. According to cricket rules, if the ball hits a helmet on the field (not being worn), the following happens: the ball is immediately declared dead and the batting team is awarded 5 penalty runs.

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Did stokes just bowl a 7-ball over without a wide or a no ball? What happened?#INDvsENG #Cricket pic.twitter.com/aiYP8fK5S0

— Emu (@Emuboss23) June 20, 2025

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Because of this, Stokes' over ended with 7 balls instead of the usual 6. The extra ball happened because the ball that hit the helmet didn't count in the over. This unusual incident surprised the fans. It reminded everyone how some old and lesser-known rules can still affect modern matches.

In the bigger picture, India had a strong Day 1 with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, and this helmet moment just added to the drama of an already eventful day.

ENG Vs IND, 1st Test: India & England Players Observe Minute's Silence As A Mark Of Respect For Ahmedabad Plane Victims; Video

In a poignant show of solidarity and respect, players from both India and England, along with match officials, have been seen wearing black armbands during the ongoing 1st Test match at Leeds. The players and officials also observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims.

On June 12, a devastating plane crash near Ahmedabad claimed numerous lives. In response, players from both nations paused pre-match routines, observed a minute of silence, and wore black armbands, a gesture of respect and grief.

A perfectly observed minutes silence.

This morning we remember those lost in the tragic Air India crash last week. pic.twitter.com/mEDsQPqVmH

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 20, 2025

The choice to wear armbands beautifully demonstrated unity within the cricket world. Both teams, recognizing the weight of the tragedy, came together in shared mourning before resuming the high-stakes battle. England cricket's official handle on X expressed their grief towards victims and announced that both camps will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.