England’s managing director, Robert Key, has made it clear that overlooking Ben Stokes for the ODI captaincy would be a mistake. With Jos Buttler stepping down after England’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, the team is in search of a new leader to rebuild its struggling white-ball unit. Given Stokes’ exceptional leadership record and his ability to inspire those around him, he naturally emerges as a strong contender for the role.

England’s early group-stage exit in the Champions Trophy, failing to secure a single win, put immense pressure on the management to rethink its approach. Buttler’s resignation added to the urgency of finding a new captain, with the ECB now evaluating its best options. While Stokes has largely focused on Test cricket in recent years, Robert Key believes his leadership skills should not be ignored when discussing the future of England’s ODI setup.

As England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes has successfully instilled an aggressive, fearless mindset in the red-ball squad. His ability to remain calm under pressure and push his team forward in challenging situations makes him an ideal choice to lead the ODI team. “Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I’ve ever seen. So it would be stupid not to look at him,” Robert Key told ESPNcricinfo.

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Robert Key emphasized that Stokes is not just a tactician but a true leader—someone who brings the best out of his teammates and maintains clarity in high-pressure moments. However, a major obstacle in appointing Stokes as ODI captain is his recent absence from the format. After initially retiring from ODIs in 2022, he made a comeback for the 2023 World Cup, where he played a crucial role.

Despite keeping the door open for the 2025 Champions Trophy, he was ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during England’s Test series in New Zealand. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to be fully fit for the upcoming summer fixtures.

Workload management remains a significant factor in England’s decision. The team has a packed schedule, with Test series against India and Australia, along with white-ball series against West Indies, South Africa, and Ireland. Robert Key acknowledged the risks of adding another leadership role to Stokes’ responsibilities but also highlighted the potential upside. “You don’t just think about what if it goes wrong—you have to think about what if it goes right,” he added.

One of Robert Key’s considerations is the evolving nature of international cricket. He pointed out that Test and ODI cricket share more similarities than T20s, making it feasible for a player like Stokes to transition between the two formats. However, any decision regarding his appointment would require careful planning to ensure he is not overburdened.

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If Stokes is ultimately deemed unfit to take on the role due to workload concerns, England could turn to Harry Brook as a potential leader in the limited-overs setup. Brook has already captained England in Buttler’s absence and is seen as a future leader in both white-ball formats. With England at a crossroads, the ECB’s decision on the ODI captaincy will be critical in shaping the team’s direction for the coming years.