Ben Stokes To Undergo Knee Surgery After World Cup 2023

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• Nov 3, 2023 | Dhupali Das

England star Ben Stokes has announced that he will undergo surgery on his troublesome knee after the ongoing World Cup...

Digital Desk: England star Ben Stokes has announced that he will undergo surgery on his troublesome knee after the ongoing World Cup. The 32-year-old, who was selected for the tournament as a specialist batter due to his long-standing knee issue, hopes to recover in time for the Test series in India scheduled for January.

Stokes has been dealing with his knee problem, which has prevented him from bowling, for over a year. Despite not being able to contribute with the ball, he remained committed to his role as a batsman in the World Cup. Unfortunately, his batting form has been below par in the competition, with just 48 runs from three appearances.

However, Stokes remains optimistic about his return to the cricket field. He assured reporters, "I'll be fine for the Test Series in India. I am having surgery after the World Cup," with an eye on the first Test match against India set for January 25.

Stokes also commented on the relief of not having to worry about his bowling during the World Cup. "Over the last 18 months, it's been 'will I, won't I,' whereas actually this World Cup I've not had to worry about that," he said. "It's probably the first time since I've had this knee issue where it's been quite clear that I'm not going to be bowling."

In addition to his knee concerns, Stokes addressed recent speculation about his health after he was seen using an inhaler in Bengaluru, India. Stokes explained that he uses the inhaler to manage his exercise-induced asthma, which can be exacerbated by changes in air quality when traveling to different cities in India. He noted that the air in Bengaluru felt fresher, but the strenuous running he did might have triggered his asthma more easily than usual.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development in Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken measures to address environmental concerns. Due to severe pollution levels in major urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi, the BCCI has banned fireworks at cricket games in those cities to help mitigate the pollution problem. The move aligns with the broader efforts to combat air pollution in India's major cities.