England’s rising star, Jacob Bethell, has been dealt a severe blow as a hamstring injury is expected to keep him out of action for a significant period. The all-rounder, who impressed with a fifty in the Nagpur ODI, missed the second ODI against India on February 9, 2025, in Cuttack due to the injury.

According to reports from Sky Sports, Bethell felt discomfort in his upper left leg following the ODI opener in Nagpur. Subsequent scans revealed a suspected tear, leading to his likely absence for the next four to six weeks. As a result, the young left-hander may miss out on significant events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Bethell was scheduled to join Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the IPL season, but the injury may now jeopardize his participation in the early stages.

England Call Up Tom Banton as Injury Cover

With Bethell's absence, England have called up Tom Banton from Dubai as cover. Banton, a wicketkeeper-batter, comes off a standout performance in the ILT20, where he scored multiple centuries for MI Emirates. This will help fill the void left by Bethell’s injury for the ongoing India-England ODI series.

In addition to Banton’s call-up, England’s wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who had been struggling with a calf injury, is expected to be fit for the third ODI.

Jos Buttler Expresses Disappointment Over Bethell’s Injury

England captain Jos Buttler expressed his disappointment at the news of Bethell's injury, especially given his recent form and his exciting potential as a player. After England's defeat to India in the second ODI, Buttler told the press, "I'm pretty sure (Bethell) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, to be honest. That's really disappointing for him. Obviously, he played nicely the other day and has been one of the really exciting players. It's a shame that injury is going to rule him out."

Potential Replacements and the Road Ahead

While Banton has been called up for the ODI series, England might also consider replacing Bethell with a more like-for-like option. Liam Dawson, who had a strong showing in the SA20 with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, could fit the bill as a left-arm orthodox spinner and lower-order hitter. Another potential replacement is Sam Curran, who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the ILT20 while playing for Desert Vipers.

England’s Series and Upcoming Champions Trophy

With the ODI series against India already lost, England will now aim to avoid a whitewash in the remaining matches. England will have a 10-day break before their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign begins against Australia on February 22, 2025, in Lahore. This break will allow them to regroup and strategize for the highly anticipated tournament.

In the meantime, England's medical and selection team will be closely monitoring Bethell's recovery, hoping he returns to full fitness as soon as possible.

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