Stokes Injured, Archer Rested for Decisive India Test

England captain Ben Stokes will be sidelined for the fifth and final test against India at the Oval due to a shoulder injury. Fast bowler Jofra Archer has also been rested for the match.

Stokes, who was named player of the match in the draw at Old Trafford, was ruled out after scans revealed a tear in one of his shoulder muscles. He explained that the decision was made after considering the risk of further injury, which was deemed too high. Stokes assured that the injury would not affect his participation in England's Ashes tour later this year, estimating a six to seven week rehabilitation period.

Ollie Pope will take over as captain in Stokes's absence, with Jacob Bethell returning to the team to fill the number six position. Archer, who has been prone to injuries, played in back-to-back tests, marking his first test series in four years. The team decided against risking him in a third consecutive match.

Brydon Carse and Liam Dawson were also dropped from the squad, with England opting to include the pace trio of Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue. Stokes expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete, stating that they could still field a strong eleven capable of winning the game and the series.

India managed to secure a draw in Manchester, finishing the final day at 425-4 after facing significant challenges earlier in the match. The closing stages saw some tension as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar completed centuries, with England wanting to conclude play due to the impossibility of a result. Stokes acknowledged the impressive performance of Jadeja and Sundar, while also emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks to his bowlers. He encouraged focusing on the overall positive aspects of the series.