England Test skipper Ben Stokes has confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his knee after the ODI World Cup 2023. Stokes has been battling a troublesome knee for a while, the same issue saw him miss plenty of IPL 2023 games for Chennai Super Kings.
Stokes was likely to undergo surgery after the Ashes 2023 triumph over Australia but decided to come out of ODI retirement and was subsequently included in England’s World Cup squad.
The defending champions have won just 1 of their six group-stage games so far, with Stokes managing to score just 48 runs in his three outings. With the defending champions on the brink of exiting the tournament in the group stage itself, Stokes has confirmed his plans for surgery after the World Cup.
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The star-all-rounder also confirmed that he expects himself to be fit before the Test series against India scheduled for January 2024.
Speaking to the reporters ahead of England’s World Cup clash against arch-rivals Australia, Stokes confirmed the development.
“I’ll be fine for the Test Series in India. I am having surgery after the World Cup,” said the 32-year-old.
The five-match Test series between India and England will start from January 25.
The knee has troubled Stokes for a while now, he has not bowled for England in more than a year which has surprised the all-rounder himself who conceded that it was the first time he was troubled despite not bowling.
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“Over the last 18 months, it’s been ‘will I, won’t I’, whereas actually this World Cup I’ve not had to worry about that,” Stokes stated.
“It’s probably the first time since I’ve had this knee issue where it’s been quite clear that I’m not going to be bowling,” he added further.
The Test skipper also brushed aside concerns regarding his health after he was pictured using an inhaler, revealing that it was due to his asthma which gets aggravated when he travels frequently.
“I’ve actually got exercise-induced asthma. But sometimes it happens when you go to a new city in India where the air is slightly different. That could be a reason for it,” Stokes said.
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With England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semifinals all but dashed, the defending champions will be hoping to make a late push to finish in the top seven in the points table to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.
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