London, July 31: England’s cricket captain, Ben Stokes, will miss the final Test match of the series against India at The Oval. The all-rounder has been ruled out due to a muscle tear in his right shoulder, a significant blow to the English side.Despite his renowned resilience and strong desire to play, scans revealed that the risk of further aggravating the injury was too high. Stokes, who has been a standout performer in the series, leading England’s wicket-takers with 17 scalps, emphasized his commitment to player safety. He stated that he would not put any of his teammates in a similar high-risk situation.
Stokes is now set to begin his rehabilitation, with an expected recovery period of six to seven weeks, aiming to be fully fit well in advance of the upcoming Ashes series Down Under. While expressing his disappointment at being sidelined, Stokes affirmed his competitive spirit, reiterating that he plays to win and always gives his all on the field. He also maintained that he would not have managed his workload any differently. Despite his absence, the captain remains confident in his team’s ability to perform in the crucial final Test.