In a dramatic turn during the India vs England 2025 5th Test at The Oval, seasoned England all-rounder Chris Woakes was seen in his whites and ready to bat despite suffering a painful shoulder injury earlier in the match. The sight of Woakes donning the shoulder sling one moment and warming up the next has sparked widespread speculation about whether heтАЩll brave the pain and walk out if EnglandтАЩs final wickets tumble on Day 5 of this riveting Test.
England, chasing a record target, need just 35 runs to seal the series. But with uncertainty over the exact number of wickets remainingтАФthree or possibly fourтАФChris Woakes may yet be called into action as the last line of resistance. With the Test hanging in the balance, Woakes’ potential appearance could mirror Rishabh PantтАЩs valiant stand with a broken foot earlier in the series.
WoakesтАЩ injury: From painful fall to potential batting heroics
Woakes picked up the injury on Day 1 after an awkward fall while fielding, and was later seen leaving the field with his arm in a sling. Most assumed his series was over. However, to everyoneтАЩs surprise, the England dressing room on Day 4 showed a different story. Cameras captured the pacer suited up, bat in hand, hinting that he might still be in contention if a heroic stand becomes necessary.
Speaking at the end of Day 4, Joe Root confirmed the same. тАЬYou probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. So he’s all-in like the rest of us. It’s been that kind of series where guys have had to put bodies on the line,тАЭ said the former captain.
Joe Root hails Woakes’ commitment: “HeтАЩs in pain, but it means everything to him”
Root emphasized the extent of WoakesтАЩ injury and his unwavering desire to contribute. тАЬClearly, he’s in a huge amount of pain having done what he’s done. It just shows the character of the man,тАЭ Root said. тАЬAs weтАЩve seen from othersтАФPant batted with a broken foot, and Ben Stokes too has had his share of knocksтАФthis series has demanded more than just skill. ItтАЩs demanded courage.тАЭ
The reference to Pant’s broken foot wasnтАЩt just anecdotal. It was a reminder of the brutal physical toll this series has taken on players across both camps. And now, Woakes seems determined to join the pantheon of injured warriors whoтАЩve risked it all for their team.
India eye final push with second new ball looming
While England sit tantalizingly close to victory, India are by no means out of the contest. With the second new ball due early on Day 5 and England having lost three wickets in the final hour of Day 4, the door is still ajar.
If India can strike early and bring England down to their last pair, Woakes may be forced to face the music. Whether he can hold one end with a damaged shoulderтАФeffectively batting one-handedтАФwill be one of the defining moments of the summer.
Series-defining climax awaits at The Oval
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has delivered nothing short of high drama across all five Tests. With each match going to the final day, the Oval finale is no different. RootтАЩs century and Harry BrookтАЩs fine ton have put England on the brink of a historic chase, but IndiaтАЩs gritty fightback with the ball has ensured a final twist still awaits.
As the cricketing world holds its breath, all eyes will be on whether Chris Woakes walks out, injured but unbowed, ready to be EnglandтАЩs unexpected saviourтАФor if India pulls off a stunning turnaround to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
