IND vs ENG 2025: Jacob Bethell ruled out of series due to injury, Tom Banton returns after almost five years

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday, February 9, that Jacob Bethell, the gifted all-rounder for England, will miss the final two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against India due to a hamstring injury. Tom Banton, a top-order batsman who can also hold onto wickets, has been called up to replace Bethell. The former will only be available to play in the third ODI in Ahmedabad, though, and is anticipated to join the team on Monday, February 10.

Despite playing three Twenty20 Internationals during the five-match series against India, Jacob Bethell did not leave a lasting impact.

He did well, though, in the first ODI in Nagpur, where he picked up the wicket of an in-form Shreyas Iyer and struck a courageous half-century. Bethell has been included in England’s provisional squad and will be hoping to recover in time for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Three days remain before the Three Lions reveal their final 15-man roster for the major tournament.

Banton’s final ODI outing, meanwhile, was back in August 2020. In the ILT20 2025, he most recently had an incredible performance, scoring 493 runs from 11 innings at an astounding average of 54.78 and a remarkable strike rate of 151.69.

“Tom Banton, a hitter from Somerset, has been called up by the England Men as a cover for Wednesday’s third ODI against India in Ahmedabad. Jacob Bethell, the batting all-rounder for Warwickshire, suffered a left hamstring injury during the team’s first ODI loss in Nagpur. When the squad gets to Ahmedabad on Monday, the injury will be evaluated further, according to the ECB announcement.

“Banton has been in excellent form in T20 franchise cricket; his last appearance for England in an ODI was in August 2020. With 493 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.77, including two hundreds, he is currently the UAE ILT20 competition’s top run scorer,” the release continued.