Ben Stokes To Miss England's India Tour And Champions Trophy Due To Injury
Ben Stokes To Miss England's India Tour And Champions Trophy (Source: @CricCrazyJohns)
In a significant development, Ben Stokes, England's full-time Test captain, is set to miss the entire India tour as well as the upcoming Champions Trophy. The 33-year-old, who sustained a hamstring injury earlier this month while playing against New Zealand, won't be able to recover in time to participate in England's two coming elite assignments.
While the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is yet to be officially announced, England will have a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI affair before the showpiece event. Stokes, who has been a hero for the nation due to his sheer excellence across formats, will surely be a big miss for England.
Stokes Goes; Joe Root Returns
Meanwhile, England have confirmed their squad for the Champions Trophy, and they have kept the same unit for their three-match ODI series in India as well. In other significant development, Joe Root has returned to limited-overs format as well.
"Yorkshire batter Joe Root makes his return to the ODI side for the first time since the ICC Men’s World Cup in November 2023,"
"Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes was not considered for selection as he continues to be assessed following a left hamstring injury sustained during the third Test match against New Zealand earlier this month," ECB said in a statement.
England's Squad For India ODIs and Champions Trophy 2025
Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
Additionally, England have also confirmed their squad for the five-match T20I series in India, which will begin on January 22. The ODIs, on the other hand, will begin on February 6 and will end on February 12. Unsurprisingly, Jos Buttler will keep on leading the side in both ODIs and T20Is.
England's Squad For India T20Is
Jos Buttler (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood