England have announced their squad for the tour of India and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. If Buttler will continue to lead the team amid speculation that he will step down after England's disappointing performances in recent ICC events.
However, the biggest surprise was the omission Ben Stokes from the ODI team. Stokes is England's first all-rounder and is one of the most experienced players in the squad. He is also a big-match player who has performed brilliantly under pressure in recent years.
Read also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: England squad announced for CT and India ODIs, Ben Stokes ruled out
Why is Ben Stokes not in England's 2025 Champions Trophy squad?
After announcing the squad, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the reason behind Ben Stokes' omission from the squad. Stokes suffered a left hamstring injury during the third Test match against New Zealand in Hamilton.
He suffered the injury during the second innings of the match in New Zealand and had to leave the field without even finishing his over. He is currently under evaluation and has therefore not been considered for selection in either squad.
“Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes has not been considered for selection as he continues to be assessed following a left hamstring injury suffered during the third Test match against New Zealand earlier this month ”, the ECB stated.
Stokes didn't even come out to bat during England's mammoth run of 658 runs. England were all out for 234 as they lost the match by 423 runs. However, the visitors won series 2-1 after winning the first two tests of the series.
England to feel the absence of Ben Stokes
Stokes' absence will hurt England as he has the skills and experience to be successful at big tournaments. He famously played the match-winning bowler in the 2019 ODI World Cup final to help England lift the trophy.
That same year, Stokes played a blinder during an Ashes Test match at Headingley to help England to a thriller over Australia. England won the match by 1 wicket chasing a massive target of 359 runs.
In 2022, he played another brilliant shot when his team was under pressure. The all-rounder hit an unbeaten half-century in the final to take his team past the finish line.
Ben Stokes' injury history
Stokes has a long history with injuries. A few months ago, he injured his hamstring during a match in The Hundred and was subsequently ruled out of the next Test series against Sri Lanka.
Recently, he did not even put his name in the IPL 2025 auction to extend his career in test cricket. While he was a regular in England's red ball TEAMS as captain, Stokes did not play a white-ball game for more than a year.
His last ODI was way back in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens. His last T20I was also against Pakistan in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022.