The all-rounder, who sustained a suspected shoulder dislocation on Day 1, has been sidelined since then. He hasn’t bowled or fielded, focusing on ice packs and assessments. Yet, on the eve of Day 5, reports indicate that Woakes is prepared to bat at No. 11 if needed. Despite his shoulder injury, his commitment remains unwavering.

The question many fans are asking is whether a player ruled out of a series can still participate in the current Test match. The answer is yes. Being ruled out of a series is a forward-looking decision, affecting upcoming matches, not the one in progress. If the player hasn’t been officially withdrawn from the match before the toss, they remain part of the playing XI for all five days, regardless of injury.

So, if Woakes, despite his injured shoulder, is ready to play, he is allowed to bat.

Beyond the regulations, there is a profound human element to Woakes’ potential appearance. The thought of him padding up and going out to bat, possibly with limited mobility, evokes memories of players like Malcolm Marshall, who batted with a fractured hand, and Anil Kumble, who bowled with a broken jaw. Such moments elevate Test cricket to legendary status.

Joe Root perfectly captured the sentiment after Day 4:

“He’s all-in, like the rest of us… He had some throwdowns in here and he’s ready if needed. He’s desperate to do what it takes.”

If Woakes bats, it will be about courage, determination, and possibly just protecting Root at the other end.

With the second new ball due in 22 deliveries and India needing to bat with four wickets left, India is still very much in the contest. A couple of quick wickets could make that No. 11 position very real, very quickly. England will need Woakes, not for his runs, but for his resilience.

Even standing at the non-striker’s end can make a difference. Even absorbing a few balls can be crucial. Test matches have been won on less.

Chris Woakes may not be able to lift his arm, but he’s demonstrated his ability to lift spirits. His willingness to play if required, even with a shoulder injury, reveals much about the man and the significance of this series for both teams.

Yes, he can bat. He is still part of this Test. He is still part of the fight.

In cricket, being “ruled out” of the series doesn’t always mean being ruled out of history.

Akashdeep’s crucial batting not only added vital runs to India’s score but also shifted the momentum in their favor. The English team had anticipated a short stay at the crease for him, but he exceeded expectations, forming a 107-run partnership with young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Tongue later revealed in a press conference that the team’s primary objective was to dismiss Akashdeep as quickly as possible. He also discussed the team’s bowling strategy to counter India’s strong batting lineup.

With his maiden half-century in Test cricket, Akashdeep entered an elite group of players. He became the fourth Indian player to score a Test fifty while batting at number four. Adding to his achievements, he is also the 12th player in history to score a half-century and take a ten-wicket haul during a single tour of England.

Dharmasena informed the ground staff, requesting the fan be reseated, ideally to Jadeja’s right. However, instead of moving, the fan agreed to change his shirt. A ground staff member provided a grey t-shirt, which the fan then wore. Jadeja responded with a thumbs-up, resolving the issue in a sportsmanlike manner.

India’s play was strong, solidifying their position in the match. England faced a considerable challenge at the end of Day 3, with a score of 374. India lost only one wicket in the morning session, that of Akash Deep, who scored a quick 66 off 94 balls. His 107-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal set a positive tone for the innings.

Jaiswal, bouncing back from a less successful first innings, played a controlled and significant innings, scoring 118 off 164 balls. Jadeja also contributed with a crucial half-century, adding to his strong performance in the series. Washington Sundar provided a late boost to the innings with a dynamic cameo, hammering three sixes in five balls, putting England’s bowlers under pressure.

England had a promising start, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley contributing 50 runs. However, a yorker from Mohammed Siraj dismissed Crawley for 14. England finished the day needing 324 more runs, with nine wickets remaining.

In the audio captured by the stump mic, England’s players expressed visible frustration, as the Indian batsmen continued playing despite England’s requests for a draw. The conversation revealed Jadeja stating he couldn’t decide anything regarding the draw. England’s players urged him to shake hands, even asking how long he needed to reach his century. Jadeja responded that he did not want to stop playing. Stokes then encouraged him to get a Test century against Harry Brook. Other England players insisted Jadeja shake hands to conclude the match. Jadeja and Sundar remained resilient against the pressure exerted by England, ensuring their partnership continued.

Manjrekar assessed the match dynamics, stating, “Are England suddenly favourites? Before the session, I had it at 70-30 in India’s favour. After this, I’d call it 50-50. Not dramatically down to 30-70, because we still have the Jasprit Bumrah factor and England’s unpredictable weather. The pitch had gone to sleep-it had nothing to do with how India bowled. Even Bumrah got nothing out of it. Maybe it was the heavy roller effect. Hopefully, after lunch, the surface livens up and India can pick up a couple of wickets. But England’s real threat is their temperament in a fourth-innings chase.”

England defeated India in the 1st Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds. The match, which went to the final day, saw England triumph, achieving the second-largest Test chase on English soil, chasing 371 runs while losing only five wickets. Ben Duckett of England scored 149 runs. India made history by being the first team in 148 years of Test cricket to have five centurions in a match but still lose. Rishabh Pant scored centuries in both innings, and Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul also hit centuries, though their efforts were not enough. Consequently, Gill lost his first Test as captain.

Pope stated, “I’ve tried not to let it affect me too much, to be honest. I’m well aware there’s probably a fair bit that’s been said, but for me, I’ve just been trying to make sure my game’s in as good a place as possible, and when I get in, I try to make sure I make the most of it.”

He added, “I’ve tried to let the outside noise do its thing and just try to make sure my game keeps improving, and I get my headspace in a good place too.”

Pope also reflected on the early challenges of the series, saying, “Look, it’s early in the series, and there’s a lot of stuff to be done. And I think I’ve had some really good series, and I’ve had some not-so-good series, so I think that’s just kind of the way.”

“I guess starting at number 3, you might get a ball with your name on it, and you might think I’m out of nick when you’re not. I think my approach is just trying to take each game as it comes and, yeah, hopefully, continue cementing that spot,” he concluded.