England’s World Cup-winning skipper and one of the game's all-time greats Eoin Morgan has advocated for the inclusion of veteran players Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the England’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan next year. 

Both Root and Stokes were last seen for England in ODIs in 2023 at the ODI World Cup. Morgan’s support centers around the invaluable experience and leadership that both players bring to the team.

"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 said at the launch of the International Masters League in Mumbai. 

Ben Stokes recently didn’t play the ODI series against Australia that England lost 2-3. Meanwhile, Joe Root had been given rest ahead of the Pakistan Tests. In the ODI series against Australia, Harry Brook had led England in the absence of Jos Buttler. England had shown great determination against Australia but they failed to go all the way. Morgan lauded young guns for their performance. 

"At the moment, I'm happy to back the younger players. In the recent series against Australia, they found a template. Australia, you have to commend how good they are at the moment in all formats of the game. But when you put them up against a side that, at stages, didn't have [Jofra] Archer, no Wood, Stokes and Root as well, no Buttler, that's half your England team."

"The run chase at Durham, when Harry Brook scored that magnificent hundred and then just went on to find his feet as captain the template that they found in that game, I thought, is one that really suits the players that they've selected. I would encourage them to continue with that template and look ahead to the Champions Trophy."