Joe Root returns as England's ODI hopes hang by a thread
- Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England's ODI squad following a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
- Joe Root has been recalled to the England ODI team after over a year away from the format.
- The England squad looks to revitalize its image and performance under new coaching before upcoming matches.
In December 2024, England announced their ODI squad for the upcoming series against India and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy. Notably absent from this 15-man party was Ben Stokes, who had been hoping to return to the white-ball format. Stokes, England's Test captain, had not played an ODI since the disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup and was still recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained during a recent Test against New Zealand. His ongoing injury issues have plagued him throughout the 2024 season, leading to increased scrutiny about his fitness and future in the game. Meanwhile, the squad welcomed back Joe Root, who last played in the ODI format over a year ago, signaling a shift in strategy as England aims to revitalize its white-ball cricket under new coaching leadership. Joe Root’s impressive form in Tests, where he has dominated the run charts, made him an ideal candidate for the ODI squad as England seeks to bounce back from a disappointing period under previous coaching and captaincy. The announcement emphasized the team's focus on blending experienced players with young talent as they prepare for the challenges ahead, including a tour of India for T20 internationals and ODIs, culminating in the Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan. This approach denotes a strategy aimed at rebuilding the squad's reputation and performance after the team's disappointing fall from grace in international cricket, where they have lost both ODI and T20 World Cups within the past year, thrusting them into scrutiny regarding player selections and team dynamics.