Ben Stokes Makes Major Alcohol Decision Ahead of Vital India-England Test Series

England Test captain Ben Stokes revealed he's quit alcohol since the year began, aiming to prevent injuries and stay fit for the upcoming Test series.

Ben Stokes Makes Major Alcohol Decision Ahead of Vital India-England Test Series

England Test skipper Ben Stokes revealed that he has quit drinking alcohol, for the time being. (Image via BBC)

England Test captain Ben Stokes recently revealed that he has stopped consuming alcohol since the start of the year, to keep fit for the upcoming Test series against India and Australia. Stokes made his decision to quit alcohol, in order to keep himself free from injuries. 

The 33-year-old has been in and out of rehabilitation over the past year, due to recurring hamstring issues. Stokes first injured his left hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, in August 2024. Once again in December, during England’s Test match against New Zealand at Hamilton, Stoke suffered a torn hamstring, with subsequent assessments revealing the need for a surgery.

The second injury kept the all-rounder out of cricketing action for the next three months, as he missed two consecutive Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Ben Stokes is ready to make his comeback for England this week, when the team takes on Zimbabwe in a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge. He is hoping to play a full role as an all-rounder, aiming to remain fit throughout the busy cricketing season.

The Zimbabwe game will be followed by a crucial Test series against India, starting June 11, and the 2025 Ashes, six months later. Speaking to the Untapped podcast about his recent injury recovery, the England captain shared his decision of having decided to quit alcohol.

Stokes recalled that the hamstring injury that he suffered last year, even made him question whether some drinking, a few nights prior to the injury, might have contributed to the problem.

After my first injury, I remember the shock of it, after the initial adrenaline had stopped, I started thinking ‘How has this happened?’ We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part?

Ben Stokes on the Untapped Podcast (H/T: Guardian)

Stokes added that it forced him to rethink and re-evaluate his personal lifestyle, even deciding to remain away from alcohol during his injury rehabilitation, a commitment he made until his recovery was complete and he returned to playing. While agreeing that would not be able to become completely sober, Stokes stated that he has been cautious and has not consumed a drink since the start of the year.

Then I was like, ‘Ok, I need to start changing what I do.’ I don’t think I’ll ever be completely sober but I’ve not had a drink since 2 January.

Ben Stokes’ recent partnership with CleanCo., a non-alcoholic spirits company, depicts his determination to change his personal habits. The 33-year-old’s struggles with alcoholism have extended beyond injury concerns to his public conduct. Notably, in October 2017, Stokes, along with his England teammate Alex Hales, was arrested and charged with affray following a drunken altercation near a Bristol nightclub.

Therefore, Ben Stokes’ recent choice to give up alcohol demonstrates his commitment towards the game as well as to remain physically and mentally fit. Having amassed over 6,000 runs and taken 210 wickets in 110 Test matches, he is expected to play a vital role for the team in their upcoming matches against India and Australia, later this year.

Ben Stokes-led England ready for summer cricket showdown, as Zimbabwe Test kicks off new season

England Test skipper Ben Stokes will be leading the side ahead of a blockbuster summer cricket season at home, which begins with a one-off four-day Test match against Zimbabwe this week. The ECB on May 2, named the 13-man squad that would face Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Ben Stokes England Test team
Ben Stokes will be making a comeback as England’s captain for the upcoming Tests against Zimbabwe and India. (Image via ICC)

Led by captain Stokes, uncapped players Sam Cook and Jordan Cox, both of whom represent Essex in the County Championship, have been included in the side. Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue and Jamie Smith are the other notable youngsters in the squad, which also includes the likes of experienced players such as Joe Root, Ben Duckett and England’s new white-ball skipper Harry Brook. 

The visitors, on the other hand, will be led by skipper and experienced batter Craig Ervine. Followed by the Zimbabwe Test, the Three Lions will then take on West Indies in a white-ball series at home, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.