England Captain Ben Stokes to Miss Decisive Test Against India Due to Injury
England captain Ben Stokes will not play in the final Test against India after sustaining a right shoulder injury. Stokes, who has struggled with fitness throughout the series, was sidelined by the issue that emerged during last week’s drawn match at Old Trafford. Ollie Pope will lead the team in Stokes' absence.
Jacob Bethell will make his first Test appearance this year, one of four changes to England’s lineup. Liam Dawson has been left out after just one match, leaving the side without a specialist spinner. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have been rested, with Surrey’s Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton returning, alongside Josh Tongue.
Stokes is believed to have suffered a grade-three muscle tear, requiring an extended recovery period. England’s next Test series is the Ashes later this year, putting pressure on the 34-year-old to regain fitness in time.
Stokes played a key role in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, scoring 141 runs and taking six wickets. Speaking ahead of the match, he confirmed he expects to undergo six to seven weeks of rehabilitation but remains optimistic about being ready for the Ashes.
England’s lineup: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.
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