‘There is no need to ban liquor…’, what Joe Root said after becoming the captain, the statement went viral

Joe Root On Alcohol Ban: Ben Stokes was dropped from the team after the nightclub controversy and the command of the team has been handed over to Joe Root. Joe Root is captaining England in the second Test match of the series to be played with New Zealand. But, in the meantime, he has given a statement which has come into the headlines. Ahead of the second Test against the Kiwis, Root was asked whether there was a culture of drinking in the team and whether director of cricket Robert Key should impose stricter restrictions. On this, the experienced batsman said that there is no need to ban alcohol because there is no culture of drinking in the team.

What did Joe Root say?

Joe Root participated in the press conference before the second test match to be played with New Zealand. Where, he was asked many types of questions and a question related to alcohol was also asked. Yes, Root was asked whether there is a culture of drinking in the team and whether cricket director Robert Key should impose more strict restrictions.

On this, Joe Root while talking to the journalists in the press conference said, “I don’t think that’s the right way to go. I don’t think there’s a culture of drinking in our team. Like I said, there have been times when we’ve let ourselves down and made mistakes. We have to accept that, move on and learn from it. But I also believe that when you work hard for something for a long time, there should be moments and opportunities when you can celebrate it and enjoy it with the team.”

Joe Root on if there’s a drinking culture in England team. pic.twitter.com/eaxTo5OR4t

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 16, 2026

‘Not everyone drinks’

England captain Joe Root continued his talk and said, “Not everyone in our group drinks anyway, but you have to get a chance to come together, celebrate and have that time and some of my best and most memorable memories are in the dressing room after a match. So, it’s a lot of fun and good things that you can do after a win, and work hard for a long time. But you have to choose the right time and the right place, and I think that’s the most important thing.”

What is Ben Stokes’ nightclub controversy?

🚨Street fight alert 🚨

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson involved in a nightclub street fighting after England’s Test win.

-It didn’t confirmed that who is person knocked out by stokes with his punch👊

-Reports coming that his captaincy may be in danger#ENGvsNZ#TestCricket… pic.twitter.com/ewCvfWtxsl

— ᴄʀɪᴄᴋᴇᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ (@criclover451807) June 9, 2026

After defeating New Zealand in the first Test match, Ben Stokes went with his teammate Gus Atkinson to a nightclub in Chelsea, London, where Totoa Auwa, a young player from the academy of Saracens Rugby Club, was also present. There, there was an argument between Stokes and Totoa Auwa over some issue and the matter quickly escalated to such an extent that the players got involved in a scuffle. Stokes has been dropped from the team after this controversy and there are reports that he may also take retirement.

Also read: EXPLAINER: These rules were made to keep cricket a gentleman’s game, know which punishment is given at which level of ICC Code of Conduct.