Ben Stokes Set to Miss Out 5th Test Match Against India, Ollie Pope Named Skipper

Ben Stokes initially considered playing the final Test as a batter despite injury, but decided against doing so after consulting Brendon McCullum.

Ben Stokes Set to Miss Out 5th Test Match Against India, Ollie Pope Named Skipper

Ben Stokes is set to miss out on playing the fifth Test against India, with Ollie Pope being named stand-in captain. (via Instagram)

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England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test matches against India, starting July 31, at the Oval in London. Stokes is set to miss out due to shoulder injury that he suffered in the fourth test, with Ollie Pope being named as the stand-in skipper. 

Ben Stokes has been the Three Lions’ most-important player throughout the series against India, having received the POTM awards in both the third and the fourth Tests. The 34-year-old has so far, amassed 304 runs at an average of 43.43, including a notable 140-run knock in the drawn fourth Test. Crucially, Stokes has spearheaded England’s bowling attack, taking 17 wickets at an impressive average of 25.24.

His absence from the final clash at The Oval in London, is a massive blow to the England side, who are looking to secure the series with a win or a draw. Ben Stokes reportedly sustained a shoulder injury during the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Stokes was seen clutching his shoulder after bowling a demanding total of 35 overs across both innings in that Test, which evidently put considerable strain on his bowling arm.

Speaking ahead of the final Test, the England skipper confirmed his unavailability and provided details about his injury and recovery. The all-rounder revealed he has a torn a muscle and could be sidelined for six to seven weeks, aiming to be fit for the 2025 Ashes in November.

He clarified that he is opting out of the final Test due to the risk of aggravating the shoulder injury. This marks his second injury scare within a year, having recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against New Zealand, last December.

The risk was way too high for damaging this any further than it currently is. It’s obviously very, very disappointing.

In Ben Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope has been appointed as the stand-in captain, while young all-rounder Jacob Bethell is expected to replace Stokes in the playing XI for the Oval Test. It is not Pope’s first experience leading England, with the 27-year-old, who also serves as the team’s vice-captain, having previously captained the Three Lions in four Test matches in 2024, against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The task is however cut out for Ollie Pope and England ahead of the final Test, as they comfortably lead 2-1 in the five-match Test series against India. It remains to be seen what lies ahead for the two teams, in the final Test match, starting tomorrow. Apart from Stokes, England has made several other changes to their playing XI for the final Test, with four new players entering the lineup. 

England Announce Playing XI For Fifth Test; Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer Miss Out

The England Test team has announced its playing XI for the final Test at the Oval, as several key players have either been left out or rested for the last showdown. Captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, while Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson and Brydon Carse have been rested.

Ben Stokes Jofra Archer England XI changes
England anncouned its starting XI for the final Test against England, with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer out. (via Guardian)

Young all-rounder Jacob Bethell has replaced Stokes’ in the playing XI, and is set to occupy his No. 6 spot in the batting order. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer has been rested, with Gus Atkinson, who last played for the team against Zimbabwe earlier this year, coming in to replace him. Liam Dawson has been replaced by Jamie Overton, while Josh Tongue, who played the first two Tests against India, replaces Carse.

On the other hand, Team India is also expected to bring in some changes for the final Test, particularly with vice-captain Rishabh Pant being ruled out due to a foot injury. Besides Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, who is India’s joint-leading wicket-taker, might also be rested to manage his workload.