NEW DELHI: England’s Test captain Ben Stokes he is highly likely to undergo knee surgery after the ODI World Cup ends, putting his availability for the crucial five-match away series against India in doubt next year.
Stokes, once regarded as a premier all-rounder, has faced major bowling problems this summer due to chronic tendinitis in his knee.
He has played primarily as a specialist in the last three Ashes Tests and is expected to continue in that role during the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and next month’s World Cup in India.
Stokes has expressed his intention to address his long-standing knee problem with surgery after the World Cup, although he has not disclosed specific details of the procedure.
“I know what’s going to happen, I just don’t think now is the time to say what I’m doing,” Stokes told reporters on Thursday ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.
“I’ve had some good talks with some specialists. We have a plan in place. It’s nice to know that after the World Cup we have something, a really good plan that we can do and stick to.”
“Next summer I want to play as a real all-rounder. This winter is about playing in the World Cup and then getting my knee right,” he added.
If the England Test captain undergoes surgery after the World Cup, he could be in a race against time to get fit for the five-Test series in India starting on January 25.
Any player recovering from knee surgery can take at least 8-12 weeks depending on the nature of the surgery and the time required for extensive rehabilitation. With a million pound plus IPL contract in his kitty, the ideal time to return could be next year’s IPL if you logically calculate the time it could take for him to play top-flight cricket again.

Stokes returns to England’s ODI set-up after reversing his decision to quit the format to play in the World Cup in India, which begins on October 5 with the summit clash scheduled for November 19.
COMFORTABLE WITH PLAYERS REJECTING CENTRAL CONTRACTS
With T20 leagues around the world mushrooming, players are increasingly opting out of their central contracts to play franchise cricket.
However, Stokes is happy with the players’ decisions to opt for the lucrative leagues.
“We have to understand, and I have to understand as captain, that there may be some decisions that the players will make and I’m very happy and aware that something like that can happen,” Stokes said.
“But it’s up to the individual and I think when we understand well and clearly that the landscape of cricket is changing very quickly before our eyes, things like this are a bit easier to understand if the players decide to do something. like this,” he concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)