London, March 7 - England Cricket Board (ECB) Managing Director Rob Key has suggested that it would be foolish not to consider Ben Stokes for the vacant ODI captaincy following Jos Buttler's resignation . England, the 2019 World Cup champions , endured another disastrous ICC tournament as they were eliminated from the 2025 Champions Trophy without winning a single group-stage match . With Buttler stepping down, the ECB now faces a crucial decision regarding the team's leadership.

Stokes' Leadership Credentials & Potential Comeback

Stokes, 33, has been a pivotal figure in England's white-ball success, playing a major role in their 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup triumphs. However, he retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, only to hint at a potential return for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which ultimately didn't materialize due to a hamstring injury during the Test series against New Zealand.

Speaking on Thursday, Rob Key emphasized Stokes' leadership qualities:

"Ben Stokes is one of the finest captains I have ever seen. Overlooking him would be a mistake. The decision depends on various factors, but we are considering every option carefully to make the right call."

He added:

"Stokes is not just a brilliant strategist, as we've seen in Test cricket, but also a natural leader who inspires people. He thrives under pressure and knows how to guide the team in challenging situations-exactly the qualities required in a captain.

However, we also have to consider his workload to ensure it doesn't affect his availability for other formats."

Test Success & The McCullum Partnership

As England's Test captain, Stokes has formed a highly successful partnership with head coach Brendon McCullum, revolutionizing the team's approach with an aggressive, fearless style of cricket.

McCullum was appointed England's white-ball head coach earlier this year, but under his leadership, the team has suffered 10 defeats in 11 limited-overs matches.

Despite this, Key believes that the Test-like approach in ODIs could benefit England, citing India's model where Test players form the backbone of their 50-over team, while T20 specialists dominate the shortest format.

"I believe the gap between Test and ODI cricket has narrowed, while T20 has evolved into a completely different format. Even in India, T20 cricket is dominated by new talents, but in ODIs, Test players form the core of the team."

The Harry Brook Factor - Future Leadership Option

Apart from Stokes, young batting sensation Harry Brook has also emerged as a potential future England captain. The 26-year-old led England in an ODI against Australia last year in Buttler's absence.

Key backed Brook's leadership potential, stating:

"I believe Harry Brook has all the attributes to become an outstanding captain. Initially, I had doubts about Ben Stokes as a leader, but he has proven his ability remarkably. Stokes' presence could greatly help Brook develop as a future leader, as added responsibility often enhances a player's performance."

With the ECB actively evaluating options, Ben Stokes remains a frontrunner for the ODI captaincy, while Harry Brook could be groomed as England's long-term leader. The final decision will play a crucial role in shaping England's white-ball future.