Ben Stokes has decided to withdraw from the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will take place later this year in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). In a statement released on April 2, the seasoned all-rounder expressed his intention to prioritize his fitness and focus on being a key player for Team GB across all formats of cricket.
During the recent Test series against India, Stokes faced difficulties in fulfilling his role as a pacer. While leading the visiting team, he focused on his batting and played only in the last Test match, where he struggled to get the crucial wicket of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in his first over. England felt underwhelmed by Stokes as they suffered a 4-1 defeat in the series, although they started to win in the first game after struggling to come back.
“I am working hard and focusing on improving my fitness to fulfill my role as a pacer in all forms of cricket,” Stokes said in a statement.
Ben Stokes, who departed permanently in the IPL 2024 season that commenced on April 22, had already been part of the Chennai franchise, where they acquired him for Rs 16.25 crore. However, he played only two games in the 2023 season. Ahead of the 2024 IPL in December, Stokes made the decision to quit the tournament, leading to his release from the Super Kings team.
