India vs England 5th Test: Stokes and Bumrah Out, Abhishek Sharma Tops T20I Rankings
When India and England begin the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval on August 2, 2025, cricket fans are giddy with excitement. However, with important players out, both teams face serious difficulties. The young Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma has taken the top spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, while India’s pace leader Jasprit Bumrah and England’s captain Ben Stokes will miss this pivotal match. This is a thorough analysis of these changes and how they affect the series finale.
Ben Stokes Ruled Out of Fifth Test
Ben Stokes, the captain and talismanic all-rounder for England, will miss the fifth Test because of a shoulder injury he suffered at Old Trafford in the fourth Test. Following discussions with the medical staff and head coach Brendon McCullum, Stokes was forced to make a difficult decision due to the injury, which was described as a significant tear in a muscle. He tried to play as a batter, but the risk was considered too great, particularly with the Ashes coming up this winter. A key player in the series, Stokes won Player of the Match in the third and fourth Tests after bowling 35 overs and scoring 141 runs in the fourth Test. England is severely harmed by his absence, as they now depend on Ollie Pope to take the lead. In addition to benching Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse and dropping Liam Dawson, England has made four changes to their starting lineup: Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue.
Jasprit Bumrah Rested for Workload Management
In an effort to control his workload and put his long-term health, especially his back, first, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided that Jasprit Bumrah, India’s top fast bowler, would also miss the fifth Test. As the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the series, Bumrah bowled 119.4 overs and claimed 14 wickets while playing in three of the first four Test matches (Headingley, Lord’s, and Old Trafford). The BCCI stuck to its pre-series plan of restricting him to three matches, despite early rumors that he might play in the series-deciding Test.
With Prasidh Krishna taking Anshul Kamboj’s place, Mohammed Siraj will now spearhead India’s bowling attack, with Akash Deep and rookie Arshdeep Singh providing support. By replacing Shardul Thakur with Karun Nair and replacing the injured Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper with Dhruv Jurel, the team has also strengthened its batting.
Abhishek Sharma Claims No. 1 T20I Batting Rank
Young batsman Abhishek Sharma has risen to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings, surpassing his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate and becoming one of only two Indians to do so. This is a positive development for Indian cricket. Sharma is a crucial player to watch in India’s T20I future because of his quick ascent, which reflects his explosive form in the shortest format. Despite the difficulties in the Test series, this accomplishment gives India a boost.
Implications for the Fifth Test
With both teams missing their most important players, Stokes and Bumrah’s absence levels the playing field for the series finale. Under Pope’s direction, England’s new-look XI will rely on the experience of Joe Root and the promise of rookie Jacob Bethell, who starts at number six. To counter a pace-friendly Oval pitch, India, captained by Shubman Gill, will rely on their strengthened batting lineup, which includes KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Karun Nair. With Siraj and Arshdeep tasked with covering Bumrah’s absence, the pitch, which has a greenish tint, is predicted to favor seamers.
With the series at stake following a fiercely contested draw in Manchester, the fifth Test is a make-or-break match for both sides. India wants to tie the match at 2-2, while England wants to win the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The stakes are raised by Stokes and Bumrah’s absence, which highlights younger players and tactical choices. India’s depth of talent is indicated by Abhishek Sharma’s T20I ranking milestone, which gives hope for upcoming campaigns. As both teams adjust to these difficulties, fans can expect an exciting matchup. Watch the action live as India and England compete for supremacy at The Oval.
