London, July 30, 2025:
England captain Ben Stokes cannot play in the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval from July 31 to August 4. He hurt his shoulder in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. He has been ruled out to ensure he recovers properly. Stokes had an exceptional performance in that match, scoring 141 and taking six wickets, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
In his absence, vice-captain Ollie Pope will lead England for the fifth time. Pope has captained the team three times against Sri Lanka and once in Multan, winning three out of four Tests.
Stokes is expected to be out for up to seven weeks but is hopeful about recovering in time for the Ashes in November. He feels disappointed but recognizes that playing now would risk more injury and aggravate the shoulder damage.
Team Shake-up: Four Key Changes
- England’s squad sees a major reshuffle:
- Jacob Bethell is brought in for his first home Test, replacing Stokes in the batting order.
- Pace bowlers Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue join the seam attack.
- Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse are rested for workload management.
- Spinner Liam Dawson is dropped, which means England will face India without a frontline spinner.
Match Outlook: Series Decider at The Oval
England currently leads the series 2-1, with India needing a victory to level it. The Oval Test will be a crucial showdown, testing leadership and team balance under the pressure of a final Test.