As the New Year is about to arrive their arises a new challenge for Team India on their home soil. India is slated to play 5 tests against England in the upcoming months of February- March 2024.These tests would be a testament of skills approach as it is the part of the upcoming World Test Championships cycle 2023-25.England under the leadership of charismatic coach Brendon McCullum and the captain Ben Stokes continues to support their approach even when they have been touring in Indian subcontinental conditions, Ben Stokes is evenly more confident post his retirement comeback and the recently concluded knee surgery that he and his team would be eager to lock horns with India.
Ben Stokes was one of the bright spots in the England’s World Cup campaign having scored a century and a near century vs Pakistan. Before the World Cup where he missed few matches initially and was not available to bowl due to the Knee injury, Ben Stokes marking his return post retirement in the home series versus the New Zealand hammered 182 runs of 124 balls .Though this terrific form Ben Stokes an utility all rounder struggled to serve England team in fielding and bowling departments while playing too.
Stokes has been struggling with his knee since the Test tour of New Zealand last year. The Durham all-rounder played the dodgy knee during 2023 Ashes and the 2023 World Cup, but he played only as a batter in the later. He recently underwent surgery to be fully fit for the Test series in India next month.
England have to learn to live without Ben Stokes – Nasser Hussain
Seeing such proximity to injuries in recent times former England player now a commentator Nasser Hussain has raised serious doubts on Ben Stokes prolonged career in International cricket. He has indicated tat Ben Stokes amidst his injuries would not be able to serve England for the longest period of time. He also stated doubts over Stokes bowling career after the injury too.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the reputed commentator named Stokes as the most pivotal cricketer for England, but fears his abilities might be diminishing.
“Stokes is three cricketers in one, he’s a batter, a bowler and a captain which makes him a pivotal cricketer, especially in those conditions with his leadership qualities. I’m not sure how much Stokes is going to bowl in the future of his career. Stokes is such a main man for England but they have to learn to live without him,” said Nasser Hussain.
“The reason he had the operation was to help him bowl more, but the last two years he’s been hobbling around and to a degree it’s affected his batting too. We’ve seen him play certain shots and then collapse. In a five-match Test series in the heat, you can’t afford that,” he added.
Saying so Ben Stokes possesses a decent Test record in India with the bat, but has struggled the most against the likes of Indian ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The left-hander has managed 548 runs in 9 Tests on Indian soil with 3 half-centuries and a solitary hundred. So alongside his captainship skill it would be interesting to see how Ben Stokes cope up post surgery to the Indian challenge.
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