ICC Champions Trophy 2025: England can't win tournament without Ben Stokes and Joe Root, claims Eoin Morgan

As England gears up for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, there is a significant buzz around the return of Joe Root and Ben Stokes to the white-ball format. Now, the former England captain Eoin Morgan has sparked discussions regarding the seasoned players.

Morgan has stressed that both Stokes and Root must be part of England's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, especially after their disastrous group-stage exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to defend their title in India.

Eoin Morgan pushes for Joe Root and Ben Stokes to return ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

Notably, Joe Root and Ben Stokes will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, as the former England captain is likely to be rested after the ongoing Pakistan Test tour while the all-rounder is still recovering from the hamstring injury that he sustained during The Hundred 2024.

Root last played an ODI in the 2023 World Cup, and he will be given a break to recharge between the ongoing three-match Test series in Pakistan and the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Stokes missed the recent 3-2 series defeat against Australia.

However, England said that Root and Stokes are both part of their plans in the ODI cricket. As England only has six ODIs remaining before the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Morgan believes that Root and Stokes should make a comeback in the ODI squad for the India tour.

England will play six ODIs before Champions Trophy 2025

The England cricket team is set to play three ODI matches against the West Indies and another three in India early next year, and these matches will present key opportunities for the younger players to stake their claims for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

As Brendon McCullum prepares to take the helm as the new white-ball coach in January, the strategic decision to reintegrate the experienced duo of Stokes and Root could define England's chances in the tournament.

Well, Morgan emphasized the importance of having a strong team composition, saying Root and Stokes are essential to achieving success in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

The West Indies series will not be just a testing ground for the next generation of players, but a critical moment for England's strategy for the team selection with the clock ticking toward the Champions Trophy 2025, and Morgan advises them to welcome back their biggest players for the event.

England will be best team with Ben Stokes and Joe Root: Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo at the launch of the International Masters League in Mumbai: “Ben Stokes has already said that he hasn't had the call yet from Baz as to whether he will play or not. If that call comes, obviously he would love to play. In my eyes, they've got to come into a major world tournament and look to win it, and that means trying to find the best team - and for me, Stokes and Root are in that best team.”

Morgan signed off by saying, “The younger players playing in the upcoming series against the West Indies, and then coming here [India] in February, the opportunity is there in front of your face. And that opportunity can be quickly taken away when those big names come back.”