With Ben Stokes back in action after knee surgery, England's Ashes future looks bright

The England captain is confident in his team's abilities and optimistic about their chances against India.

England has played two Tests since the recent Ashes series, but the side to challenge Australia in late 2025 is already starting to emerge in India.

Ben Stokes is fully committed to his role as England Test captain, having made a remarkable recovery from knee surgery. He is already displaying extraordinary fitness and agility.

Stokes underwent a serious operation in November, which was downplayed at the time. Despite the initial uncertainty surrounding his fitness after the aftermath, he has made a remarkable recovery in just eight weeks. This was evident in his exceptional fielding, including a diving run-out of Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test and a galloping and swooping catch in the deep of Shreyas Iyer in Vizag.

Stokes' rigorous rehabilitation regime, which included using his own strength and conditioning coach alongside the ECB’s staff, as well as giving up alcohol and cutting down on golf, has prepared him to lead England in Australia in 18 months’ time for the denousment of his project with Brendon McCullum. His immense physical strain during his career is now a thing of the past, and his confidence in his abilities is evident.Stokes judged his catch in the second Test as a defining moment that proved to him that he had fully recovered from his knee surgery. He stated with conviction that he was able to move freely and pick the ball up off balance, which he wouldn't have been able to do before his surgery. Grass burns are a thing of the past for him now, as he has worked very hard to get to where he is today. He feels very positive about the knee and can say that he is ahead of schedule from when he went under the knife.