England captain Ben Stokes has acknowledged the absence of key Indian players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin for the upcoming five-Test series, but he's cautioning against any assumptions that this makes the contest any easier for his team. Speaking ahead of the first Test at Headingley, Stokes emphasized the depth of talent within Indian cricket and the potential of their replacements.

Stokes highlighted the significant contributions Kohli, Sharma, and Ashwin have made to Indian cricket. However, he reiterated that their absence doesn't diminish the challenge England faces. He pointed to the vast pool of talent in India, suggesting that whoever steps in to fill their shoes will be equally formidable opponents. Stokes's experience with Indian players in the IPL has given him first-hand knowledge of their capabilities and the strength of Indian cricket's talent pipeline.

The England captain also addressed the new leadership role for Shubman Gill, who is set to captain the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket earlier in the year. Stokes acknowledged the pressures that come with captaining the Indian team but recognized the exciting opportunity it presents for Gill. He views Gill as a fine player who has been around for a considerable time, despite his young age.

Stokes also commented on the return of Chris Woakes to the England side. He noted England's strong record with Woakes in the team under his and coach Brendon McCullum's leadership, emphasizing Woakes's value as a cricketer. Stokes also addressed the threat posed by Jasprit Bumrah. While acknowledging Bumrah's quality, he stressed that England wouldn't focus solely on him. He emphasized that winning a Test series requires a collective effort from the entire team, not just individual brilliance.

Looking ahead to the series, Stokes mentioned the importance of adapting their "Bazball" approach to the conditions. While maintaining an aggressive and exciting style of play remains a priority, he urged his team to be smart and adjust their game plans as needed throughout the series. He further stated that the team's main goal is to win matches and secure a place in the World Test Championship final in 2027.

The series marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle for both India and England. India will be looking to rebuild their Test side under Gill's leadership, while England aims to bounce back after missing out on the previous WTC final.