England Test captain Ben Stokes is all set to undergo a long-waited knee surgery following Cricket World Cup 2023. While he was expected to go under the knife in October, his expected return to the ODI put the plan on hold. But as he is set to take at least 2-3 months in recovery, he is doubtful for the start of IND vs ENG Test series in late January. It also makes him doubtful for the IPL 2024 if he chooses to rest ahead of T20 World Cup in June.
However, Ben Stokes is hoping to be fit in time for the IND vs ENG Test series.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine for the Test Series in India. But yeah, I am having surgery after the World Cup. So we go to those meetings and generally take a physio and a doctor with me. Then those two start talking and then I just turn up and get put to sleep, wake up and hopefully it’s better,” Ben Stokes said
Ben Stokes has been struggling with his knee since Ashes last year. However, IPL, T20 World Cup, Ashes at home and the Cricket World Cup forced him to delay the inevitable.
In IPL 2023, he missed large chunk of games as he could not bowl. Even in the Cricket World Cup, he missed the first three games while in the last three games that he has played, he has not bowled.
But to prepare for T20 World Cup and the IND vs ENG T20 series, he will go under the knife to be ready in time.