Ben Stokes was looking set for a first Test ton in two years against a helpless Indian bowling unit on Day 3 of the fourth Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India on Friday (July 23), but took the sudden move of leaving the field and retired hurt.

Stokes was batting on 66 after facing 116 deliveries and had put up a huge partnership of 142 runs with Joe Root for the sixth wicket. However, the England captain walked off the field at the end of the 115th over while Jamie Smith walked out to the middle.

While an update from the England Cricket Board (ECB) is still awaited, visuals shown by the broadcaster showed that he was limping while completing a run just before he decided to walk back.

The on-air commentators speculated that it could be a cramp, which the hosts will hope is the case, as Stokes has a long history of injuries, having suffered multiple hamstring injuries in the last 12 months, which kept him out of action for extended periods

Later, Stokes returned to bat in the 130th over after England lost their 7th wicket but was hobbling while running.

Stokes has had a dream match so far with a five-wicket haul in the first innings with the ball, which is the first time he has completed the milestone since 2017. The half-century in the current innings was also the first time he reached the milestone in this series.

The England captain has taken a heavy workload in the series despite concerns around his fitness. He has bowled 129 overs, which is the most in a series by him in his career. His tally of 16 wickets is also the most in the series by a bowler of either team.

This marked the first time in his career that Stokes had retired hurt. He can return to bat at any point after the fall of a wicket.