• Source:JND
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IND vs ENG 3rd Test: The hosts are currently mulling over skipper Ben Stokes' availability before Day 2 of the third Test match at Lord's. The England captain might have sustained a groin injury while batting during Day 1 and was seen getting medical treatment by the physios.

He was seen reeling in excruciating pain when he lunged forward to play a ball in Nitish Kumar's over. He restarted his batting again even though he looked quite uncomfortable and was seen limping and even stretched his legs between overs. Joe Root was the other batter, who had scored an unbeaten knock of 98 runs during the last over of Day 1 and he scored one run and avoided the other to not give Stokes any unnecessary stress. Stokes had scored an unbeaten knock of 39 runs till stumps and left the hosts at 251/4.

During the post-match press conference, Ollie Pope is quite hopeful to see something special from the skipper and admitted that he was worried not for just this match but also the upcoming matches.

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“Fingers crossed he can do something magical and come back strong. I’ve not seen him since, so fingers crossed there’s nothing too serious. But clearly, we’ve got a big Test over the next four days and we’ve got a big two coming up as well, so it is important to try and manage him" Pope told reporters during the post-match press conference.

Pope also revealed that being a senior player, he'll ensure that Stokes' injury doesn't aggravate.

“We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow, but for me, that is partially one of my roles, to make sure that he doesn’t push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he’s dealing with at the moment. I’m sure the physios, the medics will work with him to lay out a plan and then I’ll help push him in the right direction," he concluded.

Stokes' inconsistent performance with the bat has become quite worrisome. And as per the Bazball ideology, he is quite important for their on-field attitude. If he doesn't bat during the second innings or during the upcoming matches then England vice-captain Harry Brook would take over the reigns.