Stokes had to undergo surgery on his troublesome knee, which had already caused him to miss several matches during the 2023 World Cup.
England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, expressed optimism about the participation of captain Ben Stokes in the upcoming first Test against India in Hyderabad. McCullum noted that the all-rounder appeared to be in good shape during training and was ready to take the field.
Stokes had to undergo surgery on his troublesome knee, which had already caused him to miss several matches during the 2023 World Cup. Consequently, the New Zealand-born cricketer faced a demanding rehabilitation schedule to ensure his readiness for the opening Test of the series.
During a press conference on Monday, January 22, McCullum indicated that they would continue to monitor the captain's progress before making a final decision.
"He looks like a greyhound. He's put the work in, everyone knows his work ethic is phenomenal. I've seen him running around and I think he's good to go. We'll obviously make that call as late as what we need to. But he's put all the work in, and we'll just have to wait and see," he said.
The 42-year-old also made a statement regarding Harry Brooks' withdrawal, expressing the team's unwavering support as he departed to be with his family during a challenging period. Additionally, there were subtle indications that he might make a comeback in the later stages of the series.
"Obviously our thoughts are with Harry and his family, it's a tough time. It's a privileged position to play cricket for a living but some things are more important than that. We wish him all the best and hopefully the next little period for Brooky is as comfortable as it possibly can be. There's a chance he may return later in the tour but for now we just want him to be with his family and do his thing," he added.
England has only managed to win one Test match in India during their last two tours.
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 "'I think he is....': Brendon McCullum on England skipper's fitness ahead of IND vs ENG 1st Test")
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