India vs Eng 2021: Coach Chris Silverwood rules out early return of Ben Stokes

The all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted for the break to prioritise his mental well-being and to rest his left index finger, which has not fully healed since his return to competitive cricket earlier this month.

England head coach Chris Silverwood has said he will not be ‘pushing’ all-rounder Ben Stokes to return to cricket following the hosts’ defeat in the second Test against India. Stokes has taken an indefinite break from all cricket with immediate effect. The all-rounder has opted for the break to prioritise his mental well-being and to rest his left index finger, which has not fully healed since his return to competitive cricket earlier this month. Silverwood said Stokes is ‘okay’ right now and England want him to return when the all-rounder is ready in his mindset to come back and perform. “There’s still no time limit on it, to be honest. The important thing is that Ben is okay, his family are okay, and that he comes back strong, and when he re-enters the frame, he’s ready in his mindset to come back to perform for England, like we know he can,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Silverwood as saying.