Ben Stokes Critiques Injury Replacement Debate After Fourth Test Draw

In the aftermath of the fourth Test draw between India and England, captain Ben Stokes addressed the contentious issue of injury replacements. The debate intensified after Rishabh Pant played through an injury, leading to discussions about the implications of allowing substitutes. Stokes firmly opposed the idea, citing potential loopholes and emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game. The match itself showcased remarkable performances from both teams, with India managing to draw despite facing significant challenges. As the series stands at 1-2, the anticipation builds for the final Test at The Oval.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2025, 13:10 IST

Overview of the Fourth Test

In Manchester, during the fourth Test, England's captain Ben Stokes shared his thoughts on the ongoing discussion regarding 'injury replacements'. This conversation gained traction after Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant played despite suffering from a foot injury, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in as a substitute behind the stumps. The match highlighted India's resilience, marked by three crucial centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, alongside Pant's commendable performance, where he scored a half-century despite his injury, contributing to India's first innings total of 358.

Stokes' Perspective on Injury Substitutes

Following the match, the Indian head coach announced that Pant would miss the fifth Test, with Narayan Jagadeesan replacing him. Stokes, however, dismissed the idea of injury substitutes, labeling the discussion as 'ridiculous'. He emphasized that injuries are an inherent part of the game and expressed support for concussion replacements due to player safety. Stokes argued that allowing injury replacements could lead to exploitation, suggesting that if players were scanned for injuries, teams could easily find reasons to substitute players.

Match Highlights

In the match, England chose to bowl first. Key contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 runs), Sai Sudharsan (61 runs), and Rishabh Pant (54 runs) helped India reach 358 runs, with Stokes claiming 5 wickets for 72 runs. In response, England's Zak Crawley (84 runs) and Ben Duckett (94 runs) formed a strong opening partnership, while Joe Root (150 runs) and Stokes (141 runs) propelled England to a total of 669 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja taking 4 wickets for 143 runs. India, facing a challenging situation at 0/2, saw KL Rahul (90 runs) and Shubman Gill (103 runs) stabilize the innings, followed by Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (101*), leading to a final score of 425/4, resulting in a draw. The series remains competitive at 1-2, with the final Test scheduled to commence on July 31.