England have announced their squad for the upcoming tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Jos Buttler retaining the captaincy despite recent speculation about his future following England’s underwhelming performances in recent ICC events.
The most notable omission from the squad is all-rounder Ben Stokes. One of England’s most experienced and clutch performers, Stokes has been left out due to a left hamstring injury sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton earlier this month.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clarified that Stokes is currently undergoing assessment and was therefore not considered for selection.
“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,” the ECB stated.
Stokes suffered the injury during New Zealand’s second innings and was unable to complete his over. He also did not bat during England’s massive chase of 658 runs, where they were bowled out for 234, losing the match by 423 runs. Despite the loss, England secured a 2-1 series victory after winning the first two Tests.
Stokes’ absence is a significant blow for England, especially given his track record in high-pressure matches. He was the Player of the Match in the 2019 ODI World Cup final, playing a pivotal role in England’s maiden World Cup win.
The same year, he delivered a legendary performance in the Ashes at Headingley, leading England to a dramatic one-wicket victory with a remarkable 135* in a chase of 359.
In 2022, Stokes once again proved his worth under pressure, scoring an unbeaten half-century in the T20 World Cup final to guide England to victory.
However, injuries have been a recurring issue for Stokes. Earlier this year, he suffered a hamstring injury during *The Hundred* and missed the subsequent Test series against Sri Lanka.
Stokes has also been prioritizing his Test career, opting out of the IPL 2025 auction to manage his workload. His last ODI appearance was in the 2023 World Cup against Pakistan at Eden Gardens, and his last T20I was in the T20 World Cup 2022 final, also against Pakistan.
England will undoubtedly feel the absence of their star all-rounder, whose experience and match-winning ability have been invaluable in major tournaments.