16 August 2023, Mumbai: England’s dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes has once again found a place in the national ODI squad, signaling his return to the limited-overs format after retiring last year due to workload concerns. Stokes, known for his exceptional contributions to England’s World Cup victory in 2019, has also been included in the preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. His re-entry is expected to provide a significant boost to the England squad, as emphasized by selector Luke Wright.
Stokes return to ODI
Stokes’ decision to reverse his ODI retirement was humorously highlighted when he posted ‘Lol’ on X (formerly Twitter), a response similar to what Moeen Ali had sent him when Stokes inquired about his return for the Ashes. England Cricket promptly shared this post to confirm Stokes’ comeback, sparking excitement among cricket enthusiasts.
MSD comeback Poll
In a separate development, a cricket news website conducted a poll on their X account, seeking opinions on whether MS Dhoni should make a return to the Indian cricket team. The poll garnered mixed responses, with some deeming the idea of Dhoni’s return as amateurish, while others, mainly Dhoni’s ardent fans, expressed openness to seeing the former captain back in the Indian jersey. It’s worth noting that Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, a decision influenced by the pandemic-induced postponement of the T20 World Cup.
Dhoni’s Physical report
Despite the wishes of his fans, the chances of Dhoni rejoining the Indian side remain slim. Dhoni is known for his firm decisions, and once he retires from a format, he rarely changes course. The rigorous demands of a 50-over World Cup differ significantly from the 20-over IPL, and at 42, Dhoni’s body may not be suited for the challenges of extended cricket matches.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) boasts a pool of young and talented players, ensuring that there are ample options to choose from. While Dhoni’s return would be welcomed by many, India’s white-ball teams must adapt to the prospect of succeeding in ICC tournaments without his guidance.