'If Baz calls, it's going to be a yes': Ben Stokes ready to withdraw his white-ball retirement

England Test captain Ben Stokes has left the door open for a dramatic return to white-ball cricket, just months after announcing his retirement from the format. Stokes, who last played limited-overs cricket for England during their 2023 ODI World Cup defense in India last year, has hinted that he would be willing to reconsider his decision if new head coach Brendon McCullum comes calling.

The 33-year-old all-rounder has been impressed by Brendon McCullum's transformation of England's Test team and is eager to be part of the Kiwi coach's plans for the limited-overs squads. With England set to tour India in January, Ben Stokes has declared that he would return to white-ball cricket if McCullum wants him. 

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"If I get the call and (Baz) says, 'Do you want to come and play?' Then obviously, it's definitely going to be a yes," Stokes told Sky Sports.

"But, I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it." 

However, Ben Stokes remains focused on England's Test team for now, with a series against Pakistan on the horizon. 

"I've played a lot of white-ball cricket for England, and I'm very happy with what I've achieved in that form of the game. But to be honest, we've not even spoken about anything like that whatsoever," he said.

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"I think he's just letting me concentrate on what I need to concentrate on, especially around the Test team." Stokes further heaped praise on McCullum’s influence since taking charge of the Test team, expressing excitement over the prospect of the same approach being applied to white-ball cricket.

"It's an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team. He's an incredible coach who speaks with utter commitment, and it's nice to have all three teams now with the same messaging and the same philosophies towards playing cricket," he added. 

(With PTI inputs)