ENG vs IND 2025: Ollie Pope keeping 'fingers crossed' on Ben Stokes' injury

England will head into the second day of the third Test against India at Lord’s with concerns over the fitness of captain Ben Stokes, who appeared to suffer a groin issue on the opening day.

Stokes received on-field treatment but continued to bat and remained unbeaten at the close of play. England vice-captain Ollie Pope commented that the team would assess his condition the following day, noting the importance of managing the situation carefully in such a crucial Test match.

England ended the day at 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Stokes on 39. The 34-year-old all-rounder has a history of injuries, including a longstanding knee issue that required surgery in 2023, and has suffered two hamstring injuries in the past eight months.

"Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious and he can do something magic and come back strong. We'll see how he pulls up tomorrow (Friday),” said Pope as quoted by NDTVSports.

"We've got a big Test over the next four days and we've got a big two coming up after that so it's important to try and manage him. That's one of my roles, to make sure he doesn't push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he's dealing with at the moment. I'm sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan and I'll help push him in the right direction," he added.

The day’s play concluded with Root unbeaten on 99, just one run away from securing his 37th Test century and a record-extending eighth hundred at Lord’s. Pope expressed confidence that Root would not be troubled by nerves overnight.

"Obviously he'd have loved to have a hundred red (not out), but he's got 36 of them, so I don't think he'll be too sleepless. He'll get his head down. It would have been nice to see him get it tonight but he'll be looking at the bigger picture and trying to make it a monster innings. Hopefully we can kick on and get 400, towards 500," Pope concluded.