3 Players Who Can Replace Ben Stokes In The England Playing XI Against India

Ben Stokes has ruled himself out of the upcoming Test series against India. The England all-rounder has cited reasons of mental well-being for his eviction from the squad.

The left-handed batsman has taken an indefinite break from all forms of cricket, while also healing with an index finger injury on the left hand. England Cricket Board has totally supported Stokes in his decision, stating that players’ health is their utmost priority.

Now, since Ben Stokes will not be part of the England vs India Test series, the home team will need to find an effective replacement for him in the playing XI. England had earlier announced a 17-member squad for the bilateral Test series against India.

Stokes was in great form during the ICC World Test Championship tournament, emerging as the 4th highest run-getter in the tournament with 1334 runs in 32 innings.

The right-arm medium pacer also picked 34 wickets, displaying a brilliant all-round performance. The absence of Stokes will definitely affect England’s strength in the Test series against the Virat Kohli-led India. Here we take a glance at 3 players who can replace Ben Stokes in England playing XI against India

3 Players Who Can Replace Ben Stokes In The England Playing XI Against India

Sam Curran

Sam Curran is an all-rounder who has become quite a popular player in England squad with his performance in the last 2-3 years. In his Test career so far, Curran has scalped 44 wickets in 37 innings at an average of 32.52.

The left-handed batsman has also scored 741 runs in 33 innings at an average of 25.55, smashing with three half-centuries. The 23-year-old shares a similar profile of an all-rounder like Ben Stokes and he can be a good choice to replace him in England playing XI.

Dan Lawrence

Dan Lawrence is another player who can be picked in England playing XI to replace Ben Stokes. Lawrence is a right-handed batsman who plays in the middle-order. He also bowls off-break. The 24-year-old has played 7 Test matches so far.

The middle-order batsman has mustered 329 runs in 13 innings at an average of 29.90, along with 3 fifties. While bowling, he has picked 1 wicket after bowling in 3 matches. Lawrence can emerge useful for England in the playing XI in the series against India.

Zak Crawley

Zak Crawley is another player who can be picked against Ben Stokes. Crawley is a top-order batsman who made his Test debut in November 2019 in a match against New Zealand. The right-handed batsman has played 24 Test matches so far.

In 24 innings, he has scored 704 runs at an average of 29.33, while also smacking 1 century and 4 half-centuries. He has not bowled in Tests so far but is a right-arm-off spinner.