Mark Wood to Miss India Series, Ruled Out for Four Months After Knee Surgery
Mark Wood will miss four months after knee surgery, ruling him out of England’s India Test series
England fast bowler Mark Wood will be sidelined for four months after undergoing knee surgery, ruling him out of the upcoming five-match Test series against India this summer. Wood sustained medial ligament damage during England’s ICC Champions Trophy defeat to Afghanistan, where he experienced “locking” in his left knee and had to leave the field.
The injury had been a concern since early 2024, with Wood playing through the tournament with heavy strapping. With the India Test series starting on June 20 at Headingley, he is unlikely to recover in time. A potential return could be for Durham’s County Championship match on July 22, but England expects him to be fully fit for the Ashes tour of Australia this winter.
This marks Wood’s eighth career surgery and his second in the past eight months, following an elbow stress fracture in August 2024. England’s pace stocks are already under pressure, with Brydon Carse injured and Jofra Archer’s fitness uncertain.
Wood has been one of England’s top bowlers in the last two Ashes series:
- 2021-22 Ashes – 17 wickets at 26.64
- 2023 Ashes – 14 wickets at 20.21
He also bowled England’s fastest-ever ODI opening spell in the recent Champions Trophy. Despite his injury setbacks, Wood remains a key player, with his central contract running until October 2026. He is expected to sit out white-ball cricket for the rest of 2025 to focus on Test matches.
