Ben Stokes Maintains Hope of Playing in India’s ODI World Cup Return

Ben Stokes, a star all-rounder for England, has not ruled out the prospect of ending his one-day international retirement in order to participate in England’s defence of their 50-over World Cup title in India the following year.

In July, the England Test captain, who is 31 years old and has declared his retirement from ODIs, cited the pressure on his workload as the reason for his decision. However, less than five months after making that choice, he has left the door open for the possibility of a U-turn.

According to the ESPNcricinfo website, Stokes was recently quoted as saying, “Who knows how I could feel toward a World Cup at the moment.”

When he made those remarks, we were just a few days away from the beginning of the first Test against Pakistan, which started right here on Thursday. Stokes was instrumental in England’s victories in both the 2019 50-over World Cup final and the T20 championship match in Australia in November. In the former, he helped England claim the title.

In October and November of 2023, India will play host to the next iteration of the 50-over World Cup.

“It’s just one of those things that happens. Going to the World Cup and representing your country as a participant is an incredible experience “he remarked.

“However, at this very moment, that is the last thing on my mind. My attention is totally devoted to this matchup (against Pakistan).” As a result of the widespread viral virus that swept across the English camp on Wednesday, Stokes was one of the players who had to skip training.

After the team’s victory in the Twenty20 World Cup, Rob Key, the director of cricket, reportedly contacted Ben Stokes to discuss the possibility of his playing in the 50-over World Cup.

Ben Stokes explained, “He grabbed me to the side, and as soon as he said ’50-over World Cup,’ I immediately walked away.”

When Ben Stokes announced his retirement from one-day international cricket, he stated that the decision should serve as a warning to the authorities regarding the quantity of multi-format cricket players are expected to play.

In July, he stated that there is too much cricket crammed in for individuals to be able to play all three formats of the game.

“We are not automobiles; you cannot simply fuel us up, and then send us out into the world where we will immediately be prepared to receive additional fuel.” After that, he had responded negatively to rumours that he will return to play in the World Cup of 50-over Cricket.

“It wouldn’t be fair on anyone who gets that opportunity with me not playing this format now to all of a sudden be like, ‘Yeah, I’ll come back,'” he had remarked before. “It wouldn’t be fair on anyone who gets that opportunity with me not playing this format now.”