Ravichandran Ashwin, a former India off spinner, criticized England captain Ben Stokes for his comments on injury replacements after Chris Woakes was forced to bat with one arm in a sling at The Oval. The Indian great said that the dynamic cricketer should ponder before speaking.
After the Manchester Test where Rishabh Pant found himself walking out to bat with a broken foot, the England captain mocked the whole idea of injury replacements in Test cricket wherein he dubbed the discussions as absurd. Meanwhile, the head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir, was in favor of making substitutes in case of any serious injuries.
While reviewing The Oval Test on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin criticized Stokes’ stance on injury replacements in Test cricket. He stated (as quoted by The Times of India):
“What you sow is what you reap. At Old Trafford, after Rishabh Pant’s injury, the press conference included questions about injury substitution. Gautam Gambhir had said that injuries like these warrant substitutions. Immediately after, the same question was asked to Ben Stokes and he said, ‘It’s absolutely a joke.’
“I’m a big fan of Ben Stokes. I admire his attitude. But you need to think before you speak.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
Christopher Roger Woakes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/np2G5JIiJj
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2025
Pant’s foot injury forced him to miss the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. Woakes bowled 14 overs in the first innings before leaving because to a shoulder injury sustained while fielding. He batted as the final man in England’s second innings.
“Hats Off to Chris Woakes” – Ravichandran Ashwin Praises England Pacer’s Grit Despite Injury
While criticizing Stokes’ opinions on injury substitutions in Test cricket, Ashwin commended Woakes for going out to bat at The Oval despite his serious injury. He said:
“Chris Woakes walked out with his shoulder tucked into his sweater and gave it his all to help the team win. He almost did it. He was running, showing immense game awareness. Hats off to Chris Woakes – remarkable attitude, remarkable fight, putting his body on the line.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
With 374 needed to win the match at The Oval in England, the home team was 357-9 when Woakes went to the crease. The hosts failed to win despite his manly effort since Mohammed Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson (17) in the team score of 367.
