Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket in July 2022. He continued Test and T20 cricket, many believed that Stokes would break his retirement and play the World Cup 2023 in India. Finally, it is going to be true. Ben Stokes is ready to play in the upcoming World Cup. English media reported that Ben Stokes is ready to return to the field. Although this English all-rounder has been suffering from a knee injury for a long time. However, Stokes will not take risks, if necessary, he is willing to leave the IPL next season.
Ben Stokes has signed for Rs 16.25 crore for Chennai Super Kings in IPL. Even after such a big contract, Stokes will take the risk of leaving the IPL if necessary. If he does not fully recover from the knee injury, he is ready to stop bowling if necessary he will play as a batsman. Stokes also played only as a batsman in the recently concluded Ashes series. Each Nation has to submit its squad to the ICC by September 5 for the upcoming World Cup. However, the teams can make changes in the squad by September 27. England team will play 4 ODI matches against New Zealand and 3 against Ireland before the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the England team is hopeful to get Ben Stokes in the team along with Jofra Archer. The cricket board expects the 28-year-old star pacer to recover before the World Cup. Jofra Archer took the highest 20 wickets for England in the 2019 World Cup. If Stokes agrees to play in the World Cup, knee surgery will not be possible at this time. In that case, Stokes will have to undergo knee surgery during the IPL next year. The 2023 ODI World Cup will be a disaster for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 IPL. Earlier, the cricket world was surprised by the decision of Stokes to retire at the age of 31.
Stokes claimed, ‘I’m retired, I’m going on holiday after this game.’ He claimed that continuing to play in all three formats is difficult for him. Recently, England’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott had earlier said that Jos Buttler is talking to Ben Stokes and convincing him to come out of retirement for the World Cup. The ECB will announce the 18-member squad for the World Cup on August 16. English cricketer is ahead in all formats of batting-bowling-fielding or leadership. He has changed the face of the England test team with his captaincy.