In a massive blow to England’s hopes of leveling the series, their star all-rounder Ben Stokes suffered a painful knee injury late on Day 4 of the 2nd Test, sending shockwaves through the home camp and leaving fans anxiously awaiting updates. The injury comes at the worst possible moment for England, with the series hanging in the balance and a crucial third Test just days away.
The incident occurred when Stokes, fielding at mid-on, made a desperate dive to stop a fierce drive from Virat Kohli. His knee twisted awkwardly as he landed, and he immediately clutched it in visible agony. After treatment from the team physio, Stokes limped off the field, sparking concerns about the severity of the injury. While initial scans are pending, early reports suggest a sprain that could rule him out of at least the next Test — and possibly more.
Stokes’ absence would leave England with a massive void: his aggressive batting, sharp bowling, and inspirational leadership have been central to their success under the Bazball era. Experts have already begun discussing possible replacements if the star all-rounder fails to recover in time.
Top options include:
Chris Woakes — The experienced seamer and handy lower-order batter could slot straight into the XI, especially given his excellent record in English conditions.
Dan Lawrence — If England opt to bolster their middle order instead of like-for-like replacement, the talented right-hander could come in to add stability with the bat.
Rehan Ahmed — The exciting young leg-spinning all-rounder would give England a more attacking spin option while contributing valuable runs, though he lacks experience at the highest level.
Former players and pundits are split on the best course of action. Michael Vaughan tweeted, “England will miss Stokes massively — I’d bring in Woakes for balance.” Meanwhile, Nasser Hussain suggested a “horses for courses” approach: “If the pitch spins, Rehan Ahmed could be a game-changer.”
England’s selectors now face a critical decision as they await Stokes’ fitness update. With the series so delicately poised, the choice of replacement could swing momentum either way in the coming Tests.
As fans hold their breath for news on Stokes’ recovery, one thing is clear: his injury has thrown England’s plans into disarray — and added a dramatic new twist to an already thrilling series!