In the world of elite sports, knowing when to step back can be just as important as knowing when to push forward.
For Ben Stokes, the decision to withdraw from England’s final Test against India wasn’t easy—but it was clear.
Despite the frustration of not finishing what he started, the 34-year-old England captain is standing by his choice, saying he gave all he had for his country.
Shoulder Injury Forces a Hard Call
Stokes has been the workhorse of this series, bowling more overs than in any other Test campaign of his 12-year career.
But it came at a cost. On the final morning of the drawn fourth Test in Manchester, Stokes began feeling pain in his right shoulder.
After scans revealed a grade three muscle tear, he considered playing as a specialist batter—but quickly realised it was time to prioritise recovery over risk.
“I Play to Win”—But at What Cost?
Speaking openly about the decision, Stokes said:
“When I’m out on the field, I play to win and give everything I possibly can.
If I feel there’s a moment in a game where I need to put everything I’m feeling aside, I’ll do that—because it’s how much this team means to me, how much playing for England means to me, how much winning means to me.”
Still, he acknowledged the harsh reality of being a professional athlete: injuries happen.
And this time, he’s accepted that pushing through might do more harm than good—especially with the Ashes looming.
Ashes in Sight Means Early Recovery Now
Instead of risking further damage, Stokes is beginning what’s expected to be a six-week recovery period, aiming to return in time for England’s Ashes opener against Australia in Perth on November 21.
He’s also skipping The Hundred next month to focus fully on rehab.
Taking a bit of time to reflect alone, Stokes explained:
“You have to let the emotion settle before making a decision like this.
I turned up to training to try going as a batter, but once I saw the extent of the injury and weighed the risk, it just didn’t make sense.”
England Shake Up the Squad Without Stokes
With Stokes out, Ollie Pope will lead England at his home ground, The Oval.
And it’s not just the captain who’s missing. England have overhauled their bowling line-up too.
Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have been rested to protect their fitness, while Liam Dawson has been left out after his return in the previous Test.
New faces include seamers Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue, along with spin-bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell.
Chris Woakes remains ever-present and will be hopeful on a grassy Oval pitch that suits his style.
Stokes Exits as the Series’ Top Wicket-Taker
Even though he’s stepping back, Stokes leaves a strong legacy from this series—he’s currently the top wicket-taker with 17 dismissals.
His impact has been felt not only in performance but in leadership and determination.
Fatigue and Scheduling Frustrations Mount
It’s not just injuries affecting the team—fatigue is starting to show. The series has been squeezed into just seven weeks, leaving little time for recovery. Stokes wasn’t shy about questioning the scheduling:
“Could the gaps between the games be done a little better? Maybe you could make it five days between every match so there’s consistency.”
That kind of tight calendar puts pressure not only on players’ bodies, but also on the team’s ability to rotate and recover between Tests.
Bumrah Watch and Oval Drama on the India Side
On the Indian side, all eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah, who may or may not play the final Test depending on how the Oval pitch looks Thursday morning.
India had initially planned for him to play only three Tests—but with the series still in play, they’re reconsidering.
But the Indian camp also had a little drama at the ground.
Coach Gautam Gambhir clashed with Surrey groundsman Lee Fortis, who warned India’s staff not to drag bags over the pitch due to wear and tear.
Gambhir, clearly not impressed, reportedly fired back:
“You don’t tell me what to do.”
Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour played it down, saying there was no specific instruction about where to walk and no harm in checking out the pitch in close quarters—as long as you weren’t wearing metal spikes.
Can England Break the Oval Curse Without Stokes?
While England have won most of the Tests Stokes has missed as captain, there’s one glaring exception—last year at the Oval, when they lost to Sri Lanka.
The hope now is that history doesn’t repeat itself and that preserving Stokes for Australia won’t cost them the India series.
The stage is set. The stakes are high. But for Ben Stokes, the message is simple—he gave it everything.
Now it’s time to rest, recover, and get ready for the next big chapter.