'Very unlikely' I won't play series decider - Stokes

Stokes Confident for Oval Showdown Despite Injury Concerns

England Captain Remains Optimistic Ahead of Decisive Fifth Test

England captain Ben Stokes insists he is "very unlikely" to miss the crucial fifth Test against India at The Oval despite battling a right bicep injury.

The 34-year-old all-rounder experienced discomfort throughout the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, repeatedly clutching his leg and bicep. Stokes' past injury history, including surgeries on his left knee and hamstring in recent years, has sparked concern about his availability for the final match.

"I don't want to eat my words, but the likelihood I won't play is very unlikely," said Stokes. "Mentally, I'm decent. Physically, I've been better."

Stokes attributes his bicep discomfort to the demanding workload of the series. "It's been a pretty big workload so far in this series," he explained. "It was another big week in the third Test at Lord's, the same again this week. Pain is just an emotion, so it's just one of those things."

Stokes' form has been pivotal for England throughout the series. His five-wicket haul and century in Manchester marked him as only the fourth England man to achieve both feats in a single Test match. He currently leads the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets, marking his most successful Test bowling performance in a 12-year career.

His absence from bowling on day four of the fourth Test raised eyebrows, but he returned to send down 11 overs on day five as India secured an unlikely draw.

India's Fight Keeps Series Alive

The drawn Test at Old Trafford saw India defy England's dominance, with centuries from captain Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar rescuing the tourists from a precarious position. Despite falling 311 runs behind at one stage, India reached 425-4 to secure a draw, ensuring the series remains alive heading into the final Test.

Rotation and Fresh Legs on the Horizon?

Stokes acknowledged the significant workload placed upon England's bowlers, hinting at potential rotations for The Oval. “You look at how long we have been out in the field and the overs we have bowled, everyone is going to be pretty sore and pretty tired," he said. "There will be an assessment of everyone and hopefully we can use these next days of rest wisely.”

He added: "We might have make a few decisions to get some fresh legs in, but that won't be decided until we get closer to the last game."

Stokes Urges Team to Finish Strong

With England leading the series 2-1, Stokes emphasized the importance of securing victory at The Oval. "Yes, we're 2-1 up, but we want to go out and put that last big performance in. We know there's a lot of hard work to go into the end of the series," he stated.

Injury Replacement Debate Reignited by Pant Injury

The injury sustained by India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant during the fourth Test has reignited debate about allowing injury replacements in Test cricket. While head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed support for such a rule change, Stokes firmly rejected the idea.
"You pick your XI for a game and injuries are part of the game," he stated. "I completely understand the concussion replacement, because that is player welfare and safety."

A Pivotal Fifth Test Looms

The final Test at The Oval promises to be a thrilling encounter. England will seek to secure their first series victory against India since 2018, while India will aim to salvage a draw and prevent a series defeat.