England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes on Friday (July 30) took an indefinite break from all forms of cricket to prioritize his mental wellbeing and to rest his left index finger, which has not fully healed since his return to competitive cricket last month.

It is certain that Stokes will not feature in the upcoming five-Test series against India, starting August 4 in Nottingham.

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After hosting India, England will tour Pakistan for two T20Is followed by the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE, Ashes tour to Australia and three Tests in West Indies.

It remains to be seen if Stokes makes himself available for the marquee T20 World Cup and the iconic Ashes series.

Amid the development, England skipper Joe Root has told the all-rounder to take time to look after himself.

“From my point of view, I just want my friend to be OK. Anyone who knows Ben, he always puts other people in front of himself and first," Root told reporters on Monday (August 2).

"Now is an opportunity for him to put himself first, to take time to look after himself and get to a good place again. Hopefully that can be sooner rather than later.

"Cricket has to be a secondary thought, a long way down the line, and he should take as much time as he needs.

"He's got my full support on that and he's been assured he’s got the full support of the ECB on that. And certainly, he's got the whole team's support.

"More than anything, we just want Ben to be OK. He's got everyone behind him."

After sustaining a finger injury in the first half of IPL 2021, Ben Stokes missed England's Test series loss to New Zealand at home last month before he returned to captain the new-look ODI team to a 3-0 series win over Pakistan.

Stokes' decision to take care of his mental health has been backed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Root also extended his unconditional support.

"I had a conversation with Ben and that's when I found out. The call will stay between the two of us but for me it was hard to see a friend like that," the England captain said.

"I'll be there for him as much as he wants."

Joe Root acknowledged that Stokes' absence would be felt in a tough series against India.

"In my opinion, there's no one that compares to Ben Stokes in world cricket," he said.

"Obviously for a long time now, he's been incredible, he's the heartbeat of this team. But that does present opportunities for others to step up to the plate and put in big performances.

"We have found ways to win without Ben there. This is another opportunity for us to try and do that."

(With AFP inputs)