Ben Stokes Set To Come Out Of Retirement To Play ODI World Cup In India, Could Skip IPL: Report
NDTV
England Test captain and the world's premier all-rounder Ben Stokes is reportedly all set to come out of retirement and play the ODI World Cup in India even if it comes at the cost of missing a season of cash-rich IPL.
England Test captain and the world's premier all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to come out of retirement and play the ODI World Cup in India even if it comes at the cost of missing a season of cash-rich IPL, according to British daily 'The Telegraph'. According to a report in the leading English newspaper, "Ben Stokes is prepared to make a sensational U-Turn and reverse his one day international retirement to help England's World Cup defence in India this year, even if it means missing out on next season's Indian Premier League."
"The England Test captain now appears willing to play World Cup if he is asked by white-ball captain Jos Buttler," the paper further reported.
The reason why Stokes could give his Rs 16 crore annual IPL deal with CSK a miss, is the five-Test series against India that will start on January 25 and end on March 11.
If Stokes plays two months of IPL till the end of May, then he would be spending close to five months in India, which might not be feasible for him.
At some point, he is expected to undergo a knee surgery and the IPL window seems the best time considering he can return to competitive cricket and continue leading England in years to come.