'Yaar yeh World Cup to khel lete' - Fans react as Ben Stokes ends U-turn speculations from ODI retirement with 'two-word' remark

England Test skipper Ben Stokes maintained that he stays retired from ODIs amidst speculations of a return ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 where England will take part as the defending champions. However, Ben Stokes said in a press conference ahead of their final Test of Ashes 2023 that he wants to use the break available to him after the coveted series to sort out his knee issue.

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The defense of the 50-over title begins on October 5 when England clashes with their 2019 World Cup final opponents New Zealand in a rematch for the opening game of World Cup 2023. The clash is to be hosted by the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket arena. There is not a single Test match for England after Ashes 2023 until the start of the World Cup. Stokes will, therefore, have enough time to get his knee issue sorted.

‘I am retired’ – Ben Stokes on his possible return to ODI Cricket

"I am retired," Stokes told reporters when asked about his probable participation in the ODI World Cup 2023. " is something I want to get sorted. is a good time to have some serious in-depth conversations about what is potentially something I could do where I can bowl without worrying about my knee.”

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"Those are conversations we will be able to have during that good time off. is something I have done since I was a kid. Wanting to be involved in the game is something that has got the best out of me. It has been frustrating not being able to have the same impact and play the same role I have done for the last 10 years. Hopefully, I can get my knee sorted," he added.

This was the same press conference where Mark Wood hilariously hijacked the sound system to play the ‘Barbie Girl’ song to prank his skipper. Stokes spoke at length about the experience of the Manchester Test and their plans for the final Test at the Oval.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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Should have played this wc atleast

— Harsh Das (@Harrshhh_) July 26, 2023

Pretty sure Moeen Ali said the same about Tests

— Cat Gillard (@cat_gillard) July 26, 2023

Ye retire kub hua??

— harsh♥️🇮🇳 (@HARSH99OP) July 26, 2023

W

— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) July 26, 2023

noooooo! We need the Ben Stokes spark in wc 23

— Saif (@Saifshere) July 27, 2023

Big L

— Keval_18 (@kevalVK18) July 26, 2023

He has run out of deflected runs

— BirdWatcher (@watchembirdies) July 26, 2023

Acha hain.

— Abhinav singh (@Abhinav_tmk) July 26, 2023