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Ben Stokes Denies Return from ODI Retirement for World Cup in India

image-lkkmrv1pBen Stokes isn't coming out of ODI retirement | Source: Twitter 

There have been no indications of a change of heart from England Test captain Ben Stokes regarding his ODI retirement, and he is expected to miss the upcoming World Cup 2023, set to be played in India later this year. 

As stated in The Telegraph, Coach Matthew Mott and Captain Jos Buttler have offered Ben Stokes the chance to reverse his ODI retirement for the notable event. However, Stokes has turned down the proposal. 

Last year, in 2022, the hero of the 2019 World Cup final declared his retirement from ODI cricket, citing the physical toll of playing all three formats as the primary reason. 

Following that, his exceptional displays in Tests and T20 cricket, along with his valuable all-round abilities, have fuelled speculation about a potential return from retirement for the World Cup. 

However, taking matters into his own hands now, Ben Stokes has put an end to all the speculations surrounding his taking ODI retirement back. 

Ben Stokes To Undergo Knee Surgery 

In another major update, Ben Stokes has confirmed his readiness to undergo surgery on his frustrating knee injury after the fifth Test, in a bid to prolong his career and potentially lead England on the Ashes tour in 2025.

Notably, Stokes has been suffering from chronic knee tendonitis, which has limited his bowling involvement in three of England's five Tests this summer, and it is highly unlikely that he will bowl in the final Ashes match at the Oval this week.

Given that Ben Stokes has chosen not to reverse his retirement from ODIs, and there are currently no big T20 series scheduled for England, he will have ample time off from cricket until January when England is scheduled to tour India for five Test matches.

This offers an ideal window for him to undergo surgery and recuperate before the upcoming series. Here’s what Stokes said when asked if he would consider going under the knife: 

“Yeah, it’s something I obviously want to get sorted.”

“The time in which I’ve seen specialists and stuff like that there has been cricket around. So, as it’s been manageable, we’ve just cracked on. But I think that is a good time to have some serious conversations with medics around what is potentially something I could do to get a role in which I can bowl without having to worry about my knee. Those are conversations we will be able to have in that time off.” 

Furthermore, Ben Stokes expressed that if his knee problems hinder his pace bowling, he is open to exploring the possibility of transitioning into a spinner.