India, Aug. 4 -- Over a month after his shock retirement from international cricket, former England captain Ben Stokes, for the first time, opened up on his decision to draw curtains on his career, which came on the fourth day of the final Test match of the series against New Zealand at home. Stokes admitted he originally had 2027 Ashes as his swansong, but realised his body would not allow him to get there. Stokes, however, dreams of a return to the England dressing room, but this time as a coach, calling it a long-term ambition.

Speaking to former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Stokes said the decision came after months of honest conversations with his wife, Clare, and growing doubts over...