NEW DELHI: Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket in July 2022, yet he later overturned his choice and earned a spot in England's initial squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.
Jos Buttler, the captain of England's limited-overs team and Stokes' teammate, divulged the specifics of their discussion, noting that Stokes arrived at his final choice without requiring significant persuasion.
"To be honest, it was Ben's call. You all know Ben pretty well by now - I don't think anyone talking to him would persuade him," Jos Buttler told ICC.
"We had some conversations quite a while ago about it and just left it to him to come to me, basically, if he wanted to come back. We're delighted that he feels ready to come back and any time you can welcome him back into the team is great.
1/10:Clash of the Titans: Highest run-getters in India vs Aus ODI WC matches
2/10:Ricky Ponting (Australia): 303 runs
<p>The former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting is the leading run-scorer in India vs Australia ODI World Cup matches. “Punter” was known for his aggressive batting and played many memorable innings against India in World Cup encounters.<br /></p>
3/10:Ricky Ponting (Australia): 303 runs
<p>In 5 such games against India, Ponting scored 303 runs at an average of 101 with a couple of centuries and a best score of 140*.<br /></p>
4/10:Mark Waugh (Australia): 209 runs
<p>The former Aussie legend, Mark Waugh was a dependable middle-order batter known for his grit and determination. He had a great run against India in World Cup matches.<br /></p>
5/10:Mark Waugh (Australia): 209 runs
<p>In a couple of such matches, Waugh scored 209 runs at an average of 104.50 with a fifty, a hundred and a highest score of 126.<br /></p>
6/10:Sachin Tendulkar (India): 194 runs
<p>The greatest batter of all time, Sachin Tendulkar was a prolific run-scorer in India vs Australia World Cup matches. He consistently performed well against Australia and holds the record for scoring the maximum runs by an Indian vs Australia in ODI World Cup matches.<br /></p>
7/10:Sachin Tendulkar (India): 194 runs
<p>In 6 matches, Tendulkar scored 194 runs at an average of 32.33 with a couple of half-centuries and a highest score of 90.<br /></p>
8/10:Steven Smith (Australia): 174 runs
<p>Regarded as one of the finest batters of this era, Steven Smith is known for his unorthodox technique and exceptional run-scoring ability on any surface.<br /></p>Getty Images
9/10:Steven Smith (Australia): 174 runs
<p>Smith has amassed numerous records against India in every format. In a couple of ODI WC matches, Smith has accumulated 174 runs at an average of 87 with a fifty and a hundred with a highest score of 105.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
10/10:Mohammad Azharuddin (India): 170 runs
<p>Rounding off this list is former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. Azhar had a great outing against the Aussies in World Cup matches.<br /></p>"Ben is very much his own man, he makes his own decisions. I've played with him for a very long time, I'm good friends with him. Me badgering him and saying 'come back, come back' is not really the way things work with Ben. He very much makes up his own mind and decides.
"We had some conversations around it and just left it in his court. I'm sure the lure of playing in a World Cup is quite big for someone as competitive and as driven as he is to play in an England shirt. I'm delighted he felt up to it and could come back."
Stokes emerged as a standout figure during England's memorable triumph against New Zealand in the dramatic 2019 World Cup final. In a critical juncture, he delivered a remarkable, unbeaten knock of 84*, earning him the Player of the Match title and propelling the match into a Super Over.
1/10:Top 5: Indian batters with most runs vs Pakistan in the ODI World Cup
2/10:Sachin Tendulkar: 313 runs
<p>Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket players of all time. He consistently performed well against Pakistan in World Cup matches. He holds the record for the most runs by an Indian batter against Pakistan in ODI WC matches.</p>
3/10:Sachin Tendulkar: 313 runs
<p>In 5 such matches, Tendulkar scored 313 runs at an average of 78.25 with 3 half-centuries and a highest score of 98.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Virat Kohli: 193 runs
<p>Virat Kohli is another modern-day batting sensation who has excelled against Pakistan in World Cup games. Known for his remarkable consistency and aggressive style of play, Kohli has accumulated significant runs in India-Pakistan encounters.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Virat Kohli: 193 runs
<p>In 3 ODI World Cup games vs Pakistan, Kohli has scored 193 runs at an average of 64.33 with a fifty and a century and a highest score of 107.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Rohit Sharma: 155 runs
<p>Known for his explosive batting at the top of the order, Rohit Sharma has entertained fans with his aggressive style against Pakistan in World Cup encounters. His ability to take on the bowlers from the very beginning of the innings has yielded impressive results.</p>Getty Images
7/10:Rohit Sharma: 155 runs
<p>In a couple of matches against the arch-rivals, Sharma has scored 155 runs at an average of 77.50 with a hundred and a highest score of 140.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Mohammad Azharuddin: 118 runs
<p>A stylish batter and a former Indian skipper, Mohammad Azharuddin was known for his elegant stroke play. He also scored crucial runs against Pakistan in World Cup matches.</p>
9/10:Mohammad Azharuddin: 118 runs
<p>In 3 matches, Azhar scored 118 runs at an average of 39.33 with a fifty.</p>
10/10:Suresh Raina: 110 runs
<p>Known for his technique and resilience, Suresh Raina made a significant impact against Pakistan in World Cup encounters. His ability to anchor the innings contributed to India's success against thei arch-rivals.</p>Getty ImagesSubsequent to his remarkable performance in the World Cup, Ben Stokes participated in merely 10 ODIs, as England adopted a strategy to manage players' workloads efficiently across multiple formats. Ultimately, Stokes chose to step aside from ODIs to prolong his career in other formats of the game.
Nevertheless, the allure of the World Cup has prompted a change of heart in Stokes. Jos Buttler, filled with enthusiasm, expressed his delight at the return of this accomplished match-winner for the most significant cricketing event of the year.
"I don't think you need me to tell you what Ben Stokes brings to a team," Buttler added. "It's fantastic to have Ben back available. Any time a player of his quality is available again is fantastic. We're delighted to welcome him back."
