Ben Stokes likely to miss Test series against India after ODI World Cup 2023

England are set to play a 4-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on September 8. The series will also mark the return of England’s star allrounder Ben Stokes comeback in the squad. Recently, Stokes came out of his ODI retirement to take part in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, Stokes, the Test captain for England, recently discussed his long-term treatment options for his knee issue. The all-rounder for England has said that after the ODI World Cup in India is over, he might have surgery for his knee problem. For the 2023 World Cup defence in India, Stokes, who has struggled with a recurrence of a left knee issue, has come out of ODI retirement.

“I know what’s going to happen, I just don’t think now is the right time to say what I’m doing. I’ve been having some good conversations with some specialists. There is a plan in place. It’s nice knowing after the World Cup we’ve got something, a really good plan we can do and we can stick to. I want to be playing next summer as a genuine all-rounder. This winter is all about playing this World Cup, then getting this knee sorted,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

I’ve got to understand as a captain: Ben Stokes

Additionally, surgery may prevent Stokes from playing for at least the first three Test matches against India. According to reports, the England Test captain will require 8 to 12 weeks to recover from knee surgery, depending on the type of surgery and the amount of time needed for rehabilitation. The first game of England’s Test series versus India is on January 25, and the final match is on March 7.

“We’ve got to understand, and I’ve got to understand as a captain, that there might be some decisions players make and I’m very comfortable and aware that something like that might happen. But it’s up to the individual and I think having a good and clear understanding that the landscape of cricket is changing in front of our eyes very quickly, makes things like this a bit more easy to understand if players were to choose to do something like that,” he added.