The England cricket team is grappling with significant injury setbacks ahead of the five-match Test series against India, set to begin on June 20, 2025. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that pacers Mark Wood and Olly Stone will miss the series due to injuries. Wood, recovering from knee surgery after the Champions Trophy, is sidelined for four months and is targeting a return in late July, ruling him out of the India series. Similarly, Stone sustained a right knee injury last month and will be out for 14 weeks, with his recovery timeline extending beyond the series' conclusion on August 4.

Adding to England's concerns, captain Ben Stokes’ fitness remains uncertain. Stokes hasn’t played competitive cricket since December and was recently ruled out of early rounds of the County Championship. His availability for the India series and Zimbabwe Test in May is unclear. Furthermore, Jofra Archer is unlikely to feature in more than two Tests due to workload management. With no James Anderson or Stuart Broad in the lineup, England’s pace attack appears vulnerable, raising questions about their readiness for this crucial home series against India.