The 34-year-old all-rounder, who has been England\u2019s talisman throughout the gripping four-match series, announced on the eve of the final Test, confirming that vice-captain Ollie Pope would lead the team in his absence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDisappointed to not finish the series. I have a decent tear in the muscle I can\u2019t pronounce,\u201d Stokes said in the pre-match press conference. \u201cI came down here this morning trying to find ways just to contribute to the batting. After discussions with the medical team, it was decided. The risk was way too high. I wouldn't have expected anyone else in my place to risk this as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stokes has been central to England\u2019s fight in the series, earning Player of the Match awards at both Lord\u2019s and Old Trafford. Across four Tests, he scored 304 runs at an average of 43.42 and took 17 wickets, including a match-defining five-for. His absence will undoubtedly be a major blow, but he threw his weight behind the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOne man doesn't win or lose you a game. Whether I'm playing or not, it doesn't mean we'll win or lose. There are other players who are capable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stokes also acknowledged the demanding nature of the series, both physically and mentally. He revealed that he has bowled 140 overs across the four Tests \u2014 the most he\u2019s bowled in any series since the 2013-14 Ashes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a big toll on the body. Physically, it\u2019s tiring, but the mental side too. Tough, gruelling series but a test of character and physicality. The way both teams have fought shows how much the format means for India and England.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was particularly vocal about the inconsistent scheduling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe gaps between games could have been better. There were gaps of 8\u20139 days between matches and then 3\u20134 days as well. You could make it a 4\u20135 days gap between matches, maybe, so there's that consistency. It's been tough for both teams \u2014 a lot of overs bowled, a lot of time spent on the field,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stokes said he would begin his rehabilitation process with an eye on England\u2019s winter schedule. \u201cI was going to put my feet up anyway after the series, so it doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stokes also addressed the controversy that erupted during the closing moments of the drawn fourth Test in Manchester. On Day Five, he had offered a handshake to India\u2019s Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar with the game heading towards a draw. But the Indian duo, both nearing centuries, declined the gesture and opted to bat on. A visibly irked Stokes was heard asking Jadeja, \u201cDo you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Now, the England skipper says it\u2019s time to move on. \u201cI understand why Jadeja and Sundar wanted to get their 100s, but I was not going to bowl my bowlers. We are over it, India are over it. Let\u2019s not focus on those 20 minutes; it has been a great series,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cJadeja and Washington played really well to get the game to that point, and it's understandable why they wanted the centuries. We've moved on and hope India moves on from that twenty minutes.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Now, the England skipper says it\u2019s time to move on. \u201cI understand why Jadeja and Sundar wanted to get their 100s, but I was not going to bowl my bowlers. We are over it, India are over it. Let\u2019s not focus on those 20 minutes; it has been a great series,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The series heads to a climactic conclusion on July 31 with England leading 2-1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n