Ben Stokes ruled out of IND vs ENG Tests? Key medical bulletin updated
Not only India but also the host side faced a major blow to their test campaign at Lord's. India might await the return of their crucial batter Rishabh Pant to the field, but the English dressing room sweats over the return of captain Ben Stokes.
Ben Stokes came out to bat at no. 6 after Harry Brook, the centurion from Edgbaston, was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah with a perfect delivery. He built on another crucial partnership alongside English veteran Joe Root for the 5th wicket.
Stokes himself faced 102 deliveries and remained unbeaten on 39 runs at the end of Day 1. Ben Stokes, however, experienced some discomfort in the lower abdomen as he advanced down the pitch.
Ben Stokes' ruling out would not only cost England a set batter but also their most effective bowler from the test, which they won at Headingley.
Ben Stokes immediately took the ground after advancing to Nitish Kumar Reddy
While batting on 32, the England skipper advanced down the pitch to Nitish Kumar Reddy but then left the ball outside the off stump. After this, he immediately flinched in pain, holding onto his right groin.
The physios were immediately called in, and after an intense session of treatment, he was back on track for the rest of the day. Though the English skipper looked in sheer discomfort as he hobbled between wickets in an attempt to take a single.
He was often found haunching between overs and was seen stretching before the second new ball was taken by the Indians. Ben Stokes had recovered from injuries to his hamstring and his lower abdomen, which had kept him out of the game for a long time.
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England vice-captain hopes for Ben Stokes' return on Day 2
England might be anxious about their skipper's injury, but they have not let their morale down. This has been the spirit within the Bazball side.
With Joe Root still on the crease and nearing another milestone with a hundred at Lord's, England also eagerly awaits the return of their skipper on the field. Stokes looked set on 39, having faced 100+ deliveries, and hence England needs some runs from him on Day 2 as well.
Also, Stokes would be of immense service with the ball, though vice-captain Ollie Pope confirmed that he played a part in ensuring that Ben Stokes doesn't push above his limits to be back on the field.
"Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong," Pope said.
"I've not seen him since, so fingers crossed there's nothing too serious. But clearly we've got a big Test over the next four days and we've got a big two coming up as well, so it is important to try and manage him." added Pope.
"We'll see how he pulls up tomorrow, but for me, that is partially one of my roles, to make sure that he doesn't push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he's dealing with at the moment," Pope backs the England skipper.
England have their fingers crossed that Ben Stokes can shake off the pain overnight 🤞
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 10, 2025
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England are already loaded with injury concerns
The English might be performing well in the India vs England test series, but many of their crucial players have been ruled out due to injury. The Lord's test might have seen the return of Jofra Archer to the English playing 11.
They still await the return of another seasoned red-ball pacer, Gus Atkinson, who picked up an injury during the test series against Zimbabwe. Mark Wood, recovering from injury, is also looking forward to making a return in one of the matches within the India vs England series.
ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant's England tour over? Medical bulletin issued
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England England vs India Ben Stokes Joe Root Ollie Pope
