Why Did Ben Stokes Withdraw from the Crucial Oval Test?

London, July 30 (NationPress) England's captain Ben Stokes has made the decision to sit out the series-deciding fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India at The Oval, citing a shoulder injury that he deemed “too great a risk” to exacerbate.

The 34-year-old all-rounder, who has been a pivotal figure for England throughout the thrilling four-match series, confirmed his absence just prior to the final Test, with vice-captain Ollie Pope stepping in to lead the team.

“It’s disappointing not to finish the series. I have a substantial tear in a muscle I can’t even pronounce,” Stokes mentioned during the pre-match press conference. “I arrived here this morning searching for ways to contribute with the bat. After discussions with the medical team, we came to this decision. The risk was just too high. I wouldn’t expect anyone else to take such a risk in my position.”

Stokes has been integral to England’s performance in the series, having received Player of the Match accolades at both Lord’s and Old Trafford. Over the course of four Tests, he amassed 304 runs at an average of 43.42 and claimed 17 wickets, which included a match-altering five-for. His absence is sure to be felt, yet he remains confident in his team's capabilities.

“One individual doesn’t determine the outcome of a match. Whether I play or not doesn’t dictate our success or failure. There are other capable players,” he asserted.

Stokes also acknowledged the intense nature of the series, both physically and mentally, revealing he bowled 140 overs across the four Tests — the most he has bowled in any series since the 2013-14 Ashes.

“It’s taken a significant toll on my body. Physically, it's exhausting, but the mental aspect is equally demanding. It’s been a challenging series that tests both character and physicality. The way both teams have battled illustrates the importance of this format for both India and England,” he explained.

He expressed concerns about the inconsistent scheduling.

“The intervals between games could have been improved. There were stretches of 8–9 days between matches and then just 3–4 days. A more consistent gap of 4–5 days would be beneficial. It’s been tough for both teams — a lot of overs bowled, a lot of time spent on the field,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, Stokes plans to begin his rehabilitation process while keeping an eye on England’s winter schedule. “I was going to relax anyway after the series, so it’s not a problem,” he stated.

Stokes also commented on the controversy that arose during the final moments of the drawn fourth Test in Manchester. On Day Five, he extended a handshake to India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as the match neared a draw. However, the Indian duo, both close to scoring centuries, declined the gesture and continued batting. A visibly frustrated Stokes was heard questioning Jadeja, “Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?”

Now, the England skipper believes it’s time to move forward. “I understand why Jadeja and Sundar wanted to secure their hundreds, but I wasn’t going to bowl to them. We’ve moved past it, and hopefully, India has as well. Let’s not dwell on those 20 minutes; it’s been a fantastic series,” he stated.

“Jadeja and Washington played exceptionally to bring the game to that point, and it’s understandable why they aimed for centuries. We’ve moved on, and we hope India can do the same,” he added.

When asked about the viral incident involving India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and the ground staff at The Oval earlier that week, Stokes kept his response concise: “I don’t know; I wasn’t present.”

The series is set for a dramatic conclusion on July 31, with England leading 2-1.