Ben Stokes Turns 30: Top Interesting Facts About England's 'Bad Boy-Turned-National Hero'

'The' Ben Stokes, currently ranked among one of the best all-rounders in the world, celebrated his 30th birthday today. Stokes was considered as an average player for first two years after making debut for England in 2011. It was in the year 2013 when the aggressive hard-hitting batsman showcased his true class and scored 120 runs in the fourth innings of his Test career batting at number six at Perth. Stokes never looked back from there and continues to dominate world cricket. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram 

In the first few years, after joining the English team, Ben Stokes was in the news more for the wrong reasons.In the last ten years, Stokes has been arrested twice. In 2012, the star player was arrested and later released by the police with a warning.  In 2013, he was sent back home from the England tour on charges of consuming alcohol late at night. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram 

Controversies affected Stokes' cricket career as he could score only one century In the first four years of his career. The 2016 T20 World Cup proved to be a nightmare for Stokes. While chasing 156 runs, West Indies needed 19 runs to win in the last over with four wickets remaining. Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels were batting at the crease. Ben Stokes, bowling his last over, was hit for four consecutive sixes on the first four balls of his over by Brathwaite, who powered his team to a historic World Cup win. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram 

Stokes finally started to dominate as a batsman in the year 2016.  He scored 904 runs in 12 Test matches this year with two centuries. However, on September 25, 2017, Stokes was arrested after he was seen fighting four-five people outside a nightclub in a viral video. Stokes was then suspended by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and could not play the 2017-18 Ashes series. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram 

Stokes finally made a comeback in the year 2019 and emerged as a national hero by playing a crucial knock to help England win the ODI World Cup.  He batted well throughout the tournament, scoring 465 runs at an average of 66.42.  In the World Cup Final, Stokes played a blistering innings of 84 runs. Due to his innings, England was successful in winning the World Cup for the first time.  Apart from this, Stokes also took 7 wickets in the tournament. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram 

In the IPL Auction 2017, Pune Supergiants had acquired Ben Stokes for INR 14.5 crore. Currently, the star all-rounder is associated with Rajasthan Royals.  Stokes was bought by the Royals in the IPL auction 2018 for INR 12.5 crore. Pic Courtesy: Ben Stokes / Instagram