With home series against India and England on the horizon, Ben Stokes has quit alcohol to be fully fit for the gruelling English summer. Stokes realised that frequent nights out may have played a part in his past injuries.

The all-rounder underwent hamstring surgery last December. He had suffered the injury earlier during The Hundred in August, which ruled him out of the Tests against Sri Lanka. He failed to regain fitness in time for the Pakistan series later. Stokes sustained another injury during the Hamilton Test against New Zealand.

England's home season starts with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, followed by a gruelling five-Test series against India. It culminates with the Ashes six months later.

According to a report in The Telegraph, Stokes has not taken any alcohol since January 2, “when he threw himself into rehabilitation from his operation”.

“After my first major injury, I remember the shock of it, after the initial adrenalin, thinking, ‘How has this happened? We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped’," Stokes said.

“Then I was like, ‘OK, I need to start changing what I do.’ I don’t think I’ll ever be completely sober but I’ve not had a drink since January 2. I said to myself, ‘Not until I finish my injury rehab and get back on the field’. The day I wake up and can’t be bothered to do the training is getting towards that time you don’t really want it any more. But I haven’t got any interest in stopping.

“I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym and all that, to give me the best chance of being out there,” Stokes added.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025, IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Cricket, Sports and around the World.