In less than 24 hours, England will take on India in the third Test match at Rajkot as the two nations prepare to face off for the third time in the five-match Test series. Ben Stokes, England captain will be playing his landmark 100th Test match on Thursday (Feb 15) at the Niranjan Shah Stadium and is focused on his side to register a win in the absence of Virat Kohli. However, Stokes claims that they won’t take anything for granted and will not label that as positive or negative heading into the match.

<h2>Stokes opines on Kohli’s absence</h2>

"I don't mean to say anything disrespectful to the question. I think when it's situations like these, when someone is missing a big series and a lot of cricket due to personal reasons, which we are not sure of, we shouldn't label that as positive or negative to our team," Stokes said in the video posted by the ECB.

England will enter the third Test match having returned from Abu Dhabi after a one-week break. They were away for warm training in the UAE and only returned to India on Monday. During the period it was also announced that Kohli won’t participate in the rest of the series due to personal issues. The former India captain was initially out for just two matches but on Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Kohli’s absence from the entire series.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nz-vs-aus-trent-boult-returns-to-t20i-squad-rachin-ravindra-josh-clarkson-handed-maiden-call-ups-690101">NZ vs AUS: Trent Boult returns to T20I squad; Rachin Ravindra, Josh Clarkson handed maiden call-ups</a>

<h2>England announce Playing XI</h2>

England made wholesome changes to their Playing XI for the third Test match against India as the visitors recalled Mark Wood. The pacer having played the opening Test against India in Hyderabad was recalled after England decided to field two pacers for the third red-ball contest in Rajkot. This equation resulted in Vizag debutant Shoaib Bashir missing out on a place in the Playing XI.

Having won the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, the visitors were given a reality check by India after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double ton and Jasprit Bumrah’s smart bowling in Vizag. India won the Test by 106 runs and will enter Rajkot with intentions of back-to-back wins having levelled the series at 1-1.

In less than 24 hours, England will take on India in the third Test match at Rajkot as the two nations prepare to face off for the third time in the five-match Test series.

In less than 24 hours, England will take on India in the third Test match at Rajkot as the two nations prepare to face off for the third time in the five-match Test series. Ben Stokes, England captain will be playing his landmark 100th Test match on Thursday (Feb 15) at the Niranjan Shah Stadium and is focused on his side to register a win in the absence of Virat Kohli. However, Stokes claims that they won’t take anything for granted and will not label that as positive or negative heading into the match. Stokes opines on Kohli’s absence "I don't mean to say anything disrespectful to the question. I think when it's situations like these, when someone is missing a big series and a lot of cricket due to personal reasons, which we are not sure of, we shouldn't label that as positive or negative to our team," Stokes said in the video posted by the ECB. England will enter the third Test match having returned from Abu Dhabi after a one-week break. They were away for warm training in the UAE and only returned to India on Monday. During the period it was also announced that Kohli won’t participate in the rest of the series due to personal issues. The former India captain was initially out for just two matches but on Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Kohli’s absence from the entire series. ALSO READ | NZ vs AUS: Trent Boult returns to T20I squad; Rachin Ravindra, Josh Clarkson handed maiden call-ups England announce Playing XI England made wholesome changes to their Playing XI for the third Test match against India as the visitors recalled Mark Wood. The pacer having played the opening Test against India in Hyderabad was recalled after England decided to field two pacers for the third red-ball contest in Rajkot. This equation resulted in Vizag debutant Shoaib Bashir missing out on a place in the Playing XI. Having won the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, the visitors were given a reality check by India after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double ton and Jasprit Bumrah’s smart bowling in Vizag. India won the Test by 106 runs and will enter Rajkot with intentions of back-to-back wins having levelled the series at 1-1.

IND vs ENG: We shouldn’t label that as positive or negative - Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli’s absence

England captain Ben Stokes is set for a major milestone in his Test career as he will wear his 100th cap in the red-ball format on Thursday (Feb 15) when his side takes on hosts India. Stokes, who made his debut for England in 2013, is the third-longest-serving active player in the team and was appointed captain of the side in 2022. He will join an elite company of players on Thursday when he takes the field at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

<h2>Stokes opens up on 100th Test cap</h2>

"Every Test is just as important as the next one. Then there's the next one, which will be 101 - it's just one more," Stokes said while in conversation with BBC.

"It's a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn't make much difference. It's just a number.

"I don't want it to sound like I'm not thankful for the opportunities I've had, but with milestones, it's not done until it's done," he added.

Stokes has enjoyed a stellar Test career and has flourished since taking the leadership role in 2022. During his time as skipper till now, he has helped England win the Test series against New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa while drawing 2-2 against Australia in the Ashes in 2023. His latest challenge though remains a litmus test against India in their own backyard.

<h3>Most Test matches for England (Active Players)</h3>

James Anderson (2003 – Present) – 184 Matches

Joe Root (2012 – Present) – 137 Matches

Ben Stokes (2013 – Present) – 99 Matches

Jonny Bairstow (2012 – Present) – 97 Matches

Zak Crawley (2019 – Present) – 41 Matches

Ollie Pope (2018 – Present) – 40 Matches

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-england-to-recall-mark-wood-in-playing-xi-for-rajkot-test-shoaib-bashir-likely-to-miss-out-690077">IND vs ENG: England to recall Mark Wood in Playing XI for Rajkot Test; Shoaib Bashir likely to miss out</a>

<h2>Can Stokes lead England to win in his 100th Test?</h2>

England are set to make wholesome changes to their Playing XI for the third Test match against India as the visitors look set to recall Mark Wood. Wood, having played the opening Test against India in Hyderabad, looks set for a recall as the visitors are likely to field two pacers in the third Test in Rajkot. This equation could result in Vizag debutant Shoaib Bashir missing out on the Playing XI.

Having won the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, the visitors were given a reality check by India owing to&nbsp;Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double ton and Jasprit Bumrah’s smart bowling in Vizag. India won the Test by 106 runs and will enter Rajkot with intentions of back-to-back wins having levelled the series 1-1.

England captain Ben Stokes is set for a major milestone in his Test career as he will wear his 100th cap in the red-ball format on Thursday (Feb 15) when his side takes on hosts India.

England captain Ben Stokes is set for a major milestone in his Test career as he will wear his 100th cap in the red-ball format on Thursday (Feb 15) when his side takes on hosts India. Stokes, who made his debut for England in 2013, is the third-longest-serving active player in the team and was appointed captain of the side in 2022. He will join an elite company of players on Thursday when he takes the field at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Stokes opens up on 100th Test cap "Every Test is just as important as the next one. Then there's the next one, which will be 101 - it's just one more," Stokes said while in conversation with BBC. "It's a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn't make much difference. It's just a number. "I don't want it to sound like I'm not thankful for the opportunities I've had, but with milestones, it's not done until it's done," he added. Stokes has enjoyed a stellar Test career and has flourished since taking the leadership role in 2022. During his time as skipper till now, he has helped England win the Test series against New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa while drawing 2-2 against Australia in the Ashes in 2023. His latest challenge though remains a litmus test against India in their own backyard. Most Test matches for England (Active Players) James Anderson (2003 – Present) – 184 Matches Joe Root (2012 – Present) – 137 Matches Ben Stokes (2013 – Present) – 99 Matches Jonny Bairstow (2012 – Present) – 97 Matches Zak Crawley (2019 – Present) – 41 Matches Ollie Pope (2018 – Present) – 40 Matches ALSO READ | IND vs ENG: England to recall Mark Wood in Playing XI for Rajkot Test; Shoaib Bashir likely to miss out Can Stokes lead England to win in his 100th Test? England are set to make wholesome changes to their Playing XI for the third Test match against India as the visitors look set to recall Mark Wood. Wood, having played the opening Test against India in Hyderabad, looks set for a recall as the visitors are likely to field two pacers in the third Test in Rajkot. This equation could result in Vizag debutant Shoaib Bashir missing out on the Playing XI. Having won the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, the visitors were given a reality check by India owing to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double ton and Jasprit Bumrah’s smart bowling in Vizag. India won the Test by 106 runs and will enter Rajkot with intentions of back-to-back wins having levelled the series 1-1.

IND vs ENG: 'It's just a number' - Ben Stokes on monumental 100th Test cap for England

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IND vs ENG: We shouldn’t label that as positive or negative - Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli’s absence

IND vs ENG: 'It's just a number' - Ben Stokes on monumental 100th Test cap for England