New Delhi: England skipper Ben Stokes, who spearheaded the host country’s bowling attack, will miss the deciding Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India. Stokes has been ruled out following a right shoulder injury.
England lead the series 2-1 after India managed to secure a draw at the Old Trafford in the fourth Test.
Stokes has sustained a grade-three muscle tear that might lead to a long lay-off. Post the series against India, England do not play Test cricket again until the Ashes.
The 34-year-old was seen struggling over the last three days of the fourth Test. While he bowled 24 overs in India’s first innings, he stuck to only 11 in the second.
Stokes is replaced by Jacob Bethell, who will be making his first Test appearance of the year. He is one of the four changes England has made in its playing XI for the last Test match.
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Big blow for England
Along with Stokes, Liam Dawson—who made his comeback in the fourth Test—has been dropped from the squad, while pacers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have also been rested.
Right-arm fast bowlers Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton along with pacer Josh Tongue have made it to the playing XI.
But, Stokes’ injury has caused a significant blow to England considering he was in form with both the bat and the ball.
In the ongoing series, Stokes has scored 304 runs in seven innings at an average of 43.42, including one century. He also has 17 wickets at an average of 25.23 to his name, making him the leading wicket-taker in the series so far.
Notably, the English all-rounder was named Player of the Match in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, where he delivered a standout performance with 141 runs and six wickets.
With Stokes unavailable, England’s seam attack looks considerably thinner. Josh Tongue impressed with 11 wickets in the first two Tests, while Chris Woakes took 10. Craig Overton, however, has featured in just one Test match, back in 2022 against New Zealand.
In the absence of a specialist spinner, England is left relying on part-time options like Jacob Bethell and Joe Root to fill the gap.
Meanwhile, for India, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to miss the final Test, with the BCCI’s medical team considering resting him as a precaution to protect his back, keeping his long-term fitness in mind. In his absence, there’s a strong possibility that Kuldeep Yadav could make his first appearance in the series.
India and England will lock horns for the final and deciding Test at Kennington Oval in London on Thursday.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)