‘Fir gaya hi kyu jab yahi karna tha’ – Fans react as England set to announce Ben Stokes’ return for ODI World Cup 2023

Ben Stokes was consulted by the English ODI captain Jos Buttler and the management to join the English team for the prestigious 2023 ODI World Cup. According to the reports, the star cricketer accepted the proposal of the current English ODI captain and the management to return to play ODIs for England. England is set to announce the return of Ben Stokes to the ODI side today.  

Buttler and co approached Stokes to return from retirement, which he had announced in July 2022 owing to the heavy workload in different formats of the game. The star cricketer played his last ODI against India and announced his retirement. Considering the workload argument of Stokes, Buttler, and Co asked the All-rounder to play only as a pure batter in the side.  

According to the reports, Stokes agreed to play as a specialist middle-order batter in the side in the World Cup. England has not been able to find a good replacement for Stokes since 2022. The return of the star cricketer might be a big addition for the defending champions in the marquee tournament. Stokes is a valuable player in both Tests and ODIs.  

Ben Stokes might consider missing the IPL 2024

To manage his workload, Stokes is reportedly considering skipping the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League. After the Test series against India in early 2024, the 32-year-old might have to undergo knee surgery. As a result, the reputed All-rounder might not be able to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 season of IPL. The English captain did not play much for CSK in the 2023 season as well.   

The Southpaw was one of the main reasons behind England winning the 2019 ODI World Cup. In 11 matches in the tournament, Stokes played 10 innings and scored 465 runs at a great batting average of 66.43, at a good batting strike rate of 93.19, including 5 fifty-plus scores. Stokes scored a sensational unbeaten 84*(98) in the final of the tournament against New Zealand at the home of cricket.  

Here’s how the fans reacted to the news:

But he can't beat our Bobby badshah in ODIs

— Rahul Gandhi (Parody) (@ParodyCulture) August 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/1no_aalsi_/status/1691682784463683669?s=20

Also MS Dhoni will come back in Indian team

— विजय (@bijjuu11) August 16, 2023

Fir gya hi kyu jab yahi karna tha

— जेंटल मैन (@gentleman07_) August 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/rkprishi1/status/1691670162771267845?s=20

https://twitter.com/Positivity__026/status/1691678051854356615?s=20

https://twitter.com/abhaysingh_13/status/1691672310942757027?s=20

stokes outside england flat pitches pic.twitter.com/gsVvqAV3md

— . (@Zerodopamine7) August 16, 2023

https://twitter.com/HrithiksAvenger/status/1691672767635054652?s=20

https://twitter.com/Suvarna_17/status/1691676252728668349?s=20