New Delhi: After England’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they failed to register a single win and were eliminated in the group stage, white-ball captain Jos Buttler announced his decision to step down. With the T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027 on the horizon, the search for his successor is underway. While names like Joe Root and Harry Brook have emerged as potential candidates, reports suggest that head coach Brendon McCullum may turn to a familiar face to take on the leadership role.
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.
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