“I think he’s good to go” – Brendon McCullum talks on skipper Ben Stokes’ fitness ahead of Ind vs Eng 1st Test.

England is poised to engage in a five-game Test series against India, commencing on January 25. The opening clash is set at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad

The critical decision regarding skipper Ben Stokes’ availability remains pending as the 32-year-old recuperates from knee surgery undertaken in November 2023 for a persistent issue. Stokes, who hasn’t bowled since July 2023, appears likely to feature in the first Test, according to coach Brendon McCullum.

Despite McCullum’s assurance, the team plans to delay the decision on Stokes’ participation until the last possible moment, emphasizing a cautious approach to ensure match readiness.

McCullum said “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.”