England’s managing director of cricket Rob Key has shared skipper Ben Stokes’ role in the upcoming crucial Test series against India. However, Ben underwent a major knee surgery and he is expected to be fully fit by the time the team departs for India. Notably, Stokes was added to the 16-man squad announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and he has already made himself unavailable for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) due to his knee condition.

“His surgery has been a success, we are expecting him to be fit but we are not expecting him to be able to bowl. We never had him down to be bowling in India. This is part of an ongoing process in terms of getting him back to bowling,” Rob Key said after the squad was announced.

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However, England have named four pacers in the squad for the India Tests, including James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson. Keeping the conditions in mind, England have included four spinners in the squad also. Stokes’ involvement in India will depend upon his recovery from the knee surgery in the coming months.

“I think, naturally, when you are vice-captain, there is always a risk that the captain can go down. Of course that is something that I can think about if it needs to happen but the feedback I have had from the physios [regarding Stokes] since the surgery has been really positive. Stokesy is doing good but it would be silly for me not to prepare”, Pope said to ESPNcricinfo.

England’s tour of India comprises five Tests and this will start in Hyderabad from January 25, 2024, onwards.