Reports: Ben Stokes likely to miss the T20 World Cup 2021

If reports are to be believed, then talismanic England all-rounder Ben Stokes could potentially miss the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled to begin in Oman and UAE from October 17. The 30-year-old is currently on an indefinite break owing to mental health-related issues. He also pulled out of the ongoing five-match Test series versus India and opted out of the Rajasthan Royals side in the second half of the 14th edition set to be played in the UAE from September 19.

The all-rounder later revealed the break was related to address his left index finger, which apparently didn’t recover fully. Although there is not yet an official confirmation by the England Cricket Board (ECB) regarding Stokes’ participation in the T20 World Cup, the possibility of him missing out is looking ominous.

If reports in Daily Mail are anything to go by, then the star all-rounder is not even thinking about cricket at the moment. The ECB are set to announce its team for the T20 World Cup on Friday, and it will be interesting to see if the 30-year-old is part of the squad.

As per ICC rules, each of the teams can pick up to 15 players in the squad with extra three players as reserves. It has also come to light that the head coach of England Chris Silverwood and, the selectors could potentially announce the team provincially.

ECB director Ashley Giles was effusive in praise of Stokes when he showed courage to take a backseat related to mental health.

“Our primary focus has always been and will continue to be the mental health and welfare of all of our people. The demands on our athletes to prepare and play elite sport are relentless in a typical environment, but the ongoing pandemic has acutely compounded this,” Giles was quoted as saying.