England vs India: Ben Stokes to miss fifth Test due to shoulder injury with Jofra Archer also missing

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England's fifth Test against India, with the hosts making four changes for the Kia Oval fixture.

It is understood Stokes has sustained a grade three muscle tear around his right shoulder, meaning a significant lay-off awaits the all-rounder of around six to seven weeks.

• 'You can't tell us what to do!' - India coach clashes with Oval groundsman?
• India in 'astounding' draw; could England have done more??
• Not got Sky? Stream England vs India no contract ?
• Got Sky Sports? Watch cricket on the Sky Sports app ?

Also missing out are spinner Liam Dawson and pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse.

Stokes has been battling a variety of fitness issues over the course of the series and has finally been laid low with a problem that reared its head during last week's draw at Old Trafford.

England do not play Test cricket again until the Ashes this winter, meaning the 34-year-old could face a tight recovery period to be fit for the hotly anticipated series.

"I am obviously disappointed," Stokes said in his press conference on Wednesday.

"I have got a decent tear in one of the muscles I can't pronounce. We took as long as we could to make the decision around that.

"Obviously, there is a bit of emotion that goes into this stuff when you find out what you have done. I came down here this morning to give myself every chance to play just as a batter.

"I think you need that time chatting with the medical team, Baz (McCullum), then 20 minutes with myself to really be clear around the decision that we made.

"It is one of those of weighing up the risk and reward and the risk was way too high for the damage.

"I wouldn't expect to put any of my players at risk with an injury like this so I will start rehabbing now and focus on what we have got coming up in the winter.

"Once the series was done, I was feet up anyway, so it doesn't make too much difference from what I had at the end of the series until the winter anyway."

England have included Jacob Bethell, who will bat at six. Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton come into the side, along with Josh Tongue to make up a new pace attack.

With skipper Stokes out, Ollie Pope will take on the captaincy. Joe Root and Bethell are the spin options in the line-up.

There have been many waiting for rising star Bethell to get his opportunity in the series and Stokes believes he will show his quality when he "slots in" the batting order at No 6.

"We are still able to field an 11 that is going to give us a very good chance of winning this game and winning the series. That is the benefit of having a very strong squad," Stokes added.

"We have some good cricketers to choose from when we find ourselves in a situation like this.

"So, let's put full concentration on the 11 we have got out there this week. We are very confident we have got the ability to win this game and the series.

"There was a lot more hype and pressure on his shoulders when he (Bethell) got given the chance to bat at no 3 in New Zealand and he handled that pretty well.

"I think being the type of player that he is where he plays all three formats probably allows him to be a bit more versatile with where he bats in the order.

"He will slide in at six and I am very confident in his ability, he is a quality player, I think we all know that.

"We weren't going to change the batting order at all so it is quite easy for him to slot in at six."

Meanwhile, India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is not expected to play in the final Test.

Bumrah has already played three Tests in the series, the maximum workload the team management had targeted for the bowler after he spent three months on the sidelines with a back injury before returning to action in April.

Root: Stokes' injury a big blow

England batter Joe Root admitted to Sky News that Stokes' injury is 'blow' to England as they look for a series-clinching win at The Oval.

"He's a huge part of this team, a leader, an all-rounder, fresh off the back of a five-for and century," Root said.

"Of course, it's going to be a blow to anyone losing someone with that amount of input into the team and the way he leads from the front is exceptional.

"But, we've got good depth within us and good players to come in, and it's an opportunity for them to showcase what they're about and their abilities on this level."

Stokes took a series-high 17 wickets across the four Tests as he impressed with the ball, bowling multiple gruelling spells despite appearing to suffer with injury.

"It just shows how much it means to him to play for England and to play for this team, and a great example of how much he cares about, not just for this group, but representing England itself," Root added.

"It's the way he's built. It's the way he's always played the game, to give absolutely everything all the time, and he is a great example to any youngster coming through.

"It will be a big loss this week, but there's a bigger picture to look at."

England line-up for fifth Test vs India: 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope (c), 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jacob Bethell, 7. Jamie Smith (wk), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Gus Atkinson, 10. Jamie Overton, 11. Josh Tongue

Watch the fifth Test between England and India, at The Kia Oval, live on Sky Sports Cricket from Thursday or stream without a contract. Build-up begins at 10am ahead of the first ball at 11am.

England vs India - results and schedule

All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all on Sky Sports

• First Test (Headingley) - England won by five wickets
• Second Test (Edgbaston) - India won by 336 runs
• Third Test (Lord's) - England won by 22 runs
• Fourth Test (Emirates Old Trafford) - Match drawn
• Fifth Test (The Kia Oval): July 31 - August 4

(c) Sky Sports 2025: England vs India: Ben Stokes to miss fifth Test due to shoulder injury with Jofra Archer also missing