ENG vs IND: Good news for Team India! Ben Stokes ruled out of Oval Test match, see England’s playing 11

The fifth and final Test match of the much-anticipated five-match series between England and India is scheduled to begin on July 31 at the Kennington Oval in London. However, just ahead of the crucial clash, the England cricket team has suffered a major blow as their captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Stokes’ absence is expected to heavily impact England’s performance, as he has been one of the standout performers in the series so far, both with the ball and the bat. He is currently the highest wicket-taker for England in this series, having taken 17 wickets, and has also contributed significantly with the bat in challenging situations. With Stokes sidelined, the leadership responsibility has now fallen on Ollie Pope, who will captain the English side in this high-stakes match.

Stokes' injury became apparent during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where he was repeatedly seen holding and massaging his shoulder while bowling. Despite being in visible discomfort, he still managed to deliver an outstanding performance, taking six wickets in the match. His dedication and grit earned praise from fans and pundits alike. But the medical staff has since confirmed that he will not be fit to participate in the final Test, prompting changes in both leadership and team strategy.

In addition to Stokes’ exclusion, England has made several other significant changes to their squad for the fifth Test. Three players — Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, and Brydon Carse — have been dropped from the squad. Taking their place are promising young talents and returning players: left-handed batsman Jacob Bethal, and pacers Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue. This revamped bowling lineup means England will go into the final Test with four fast bowlers, relying heavily on pace rather than spin. Notably, the team has chosen not to include a full-time spinner in their playing XI, which suggests they are counting on the pitch at the Oval to offer assistance to the seamers.

This bold strategy carries some risk, especially given India’s ability to handle pace well in recent games. Nevertheless, England’s selectors seem confident in their young bowling attack. Jacob Bethal, who has impressed in the domestic circuit, is set to make his debut in this crucial match. The responsibility will also fall on experienced players like Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Ollie Pope to stabilize the team and guide the newer faces under pressure.

England’s playing XI for the fifth Test is as follows: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethal, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue. This new-look team presents a blend of experience and youth, and they will be hoping to end the series on a positive note despite the absence of their inspirational leader, Ben Stokes. With the series still hanging in the balance, the fifth Test at the Oval promises to be an exciting contest, and England’s new captain, Ollie Pope, will have to rise to the occasion to keep his team competitive against a strong Indian side.