England's Potential Return to International Cricket: 33-Year-Old Player Poised to Lead as White Ball Captain

New Delhi: Following England's underwhelming performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which saw them exit the tournament without a single win in the group stage, white-ball captain Jos Buttler has decided to resign from his role. With the T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027 looming, the hunt for Buttler's replacement is now in full swing. While players like Joe Root and Harry Brook have been touted as potential successors, rumors indicate that head coach Brendon McCullum may opt for a familiar face to lead the team.

In a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) director Rob Key hinted that Ben Stokes could be the next white-ball captain, alongside his role as the Test skipper. Praising Stokes as one of the best captains he has ever seen and a brilliant tactician, Key stated that it would be “stupid” not to consider him as the frontrunner for the leadership role in limited-overs cricket.

“I think nothing’s off the table. You assess every option and determine what’s best for the team while considering the broader impact. Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I’ve ever seen, so it would be foolish not to consider him. The key is understanding the ripple effect of such a decision,” Key stated.

“He’s an incredibly skilled tactician, as we’ve witnessed in Test cricket, but more importantly, he’s a true leader. He knows how to bring out the best in his teammates. When the pressure is at its peak, he has the ability to calm the team, guide them, and say, ‘This is the way forward. Stick with it,'” Key added.

Lack Of White-Ball Action For Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes initially retired from ODI cricket in 2022, citing burnout from excessive international commitments. However, he made a comeback for the 2023 World Cup. Despite returning for the tournament, he has not featured in any ODIs for England since then.

Stokes has also been absent from T20I cricket since 2022. He opted out of the 2024 T20 World Cup to prioritize Test cricket and manage his workload effectively.