IND vs ENG, England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, scheduled from July 31 to August 4, 2025, following a significant right shoulder muscle tear confirmed by scans. The injury will sideline Stokes for approximately six to seven weeks, ruling him out not only of the series decider but also allowing recovery ahead of the Ashes tour to Australia later this year.
In his absence, Ollie Pope has been appointed stand‑in captain, taking over leadership responsibilities in a critical match IND vs ENG where England lead the series 2–1.
IND vs ENG, Major overhaul: Four changes reshape England’s final Test XI
To manage workloads and adapt to pace‑friendly conditions at The Oval, England’s selection panel has made four changes to the playing XI:
- Dropped/rested: spinner Liam Dawson, pacemen Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse are omitted. Archer is being managed after featuring in consecutive Tests.
- New entries:
- Jacob Bethell comes in as all‑rounder at number 6, expected to lead spin alongside Joe Root
- Seamers Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue bolster a pace‑oriented attack, with Chris Woakes the only holding bowler retained.
England’s XI Possible for The Oval: IN IND vs ENG
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope (c)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jacob Bethell
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Chris Woakes
- Gus Atkinson
- Jamie Overton
- Josh Tongue
Stokes had performed brilliantly in Manchester—scoring a marathon 141 and taking five wickets—emerging as the leading wicket‑taker of the series with 17 scalps. Yet, the injury and season demands necessitated his withdrawal.
Context & What’s at stake
- The Oval Test marks the series finale of the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy. England hold a narrow 2–1 lead in IND vs ENG, having drawn at Old Trafford after India’s late flourish from Jadeja and Sundar sparked controversy in the final hour.
- Though India trail, they’re expected to introduce Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ruled out, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant already out.
With squabbles around sportsmanship and injuries dominating headlines, this match carries both tactical and emotional weight. England will rely on depth and fresh faces to deliver a historic home series win against India.
Summary Highlights:
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| England captaincy | Ben Stokes ruled out; Ollie Pope to lead |
| Squad changes | Bethell, Atkinson, Overton, Tongue in; Archer, Carse, Dawson omitted |
| Injury fallout | Stokes out for 6–7 weeks, Ashes tour in mind |
| Series context | England lead 2–1; India to make own changes ahead of run at Oval |
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