England’s Test skipper, Ben Stokes is featuring for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, he missed out on CSK’s last clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. While Stokes was brought by INR 16.25 crore in the IPL mega auction 2023, however in two games he played, has only bowled only one over.
Although CSK’s star all-rounder, considered his first priority to be ready for the upcoming Ashes series in July 2023, while England all-rounder suffered an injury in their last Test series against New Zealand.
Ben Stokes is preparing to play as the 4th ENG seamer in Ashes-
“I’ve worked so hard over the last month, five weeks, to get where I am now,”
“Being able to bowl pain-free, touch wood, has been good. I went for 18 runs, but I was like ‘oh I managed to bowl an over without pain in my knee. Going nicely (recovery from knee injury). But I’m not going to rush myself, the main priority is making sure I can fulfill my role as a fourth seamer in the Ashes,” said England’s star all-rounder.
Earlier it was reported, Stokes, the England all-rounder is slated to play as a pure batter for the first half of the IPL 2023 for CSK to manage his knee injury which he sustained during the second test against New Zealand.
“I think I know what the starting XI is going to be, there or thereabouts,having the option to bowl above 90mph, any captain wants that. When it comes to that first Test I will be making sure I pick the best team for that first game,” he said to Sky Sports.
Ben Stokes has been vocal on the pitches he wants to see this summer for the Ashes ? pic.twitter.com/kQLuBOcvHn
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) April 12, 2023
The stylish left-handed all-rounder is seen as a possible successor of MS Dhoni but had a poor debut for the Chennai-based side scoring only 7 & 8 runs in two games it played this season. Stokes is the England Test captain and recently played a huge role in England’s T20 World Cup 2022 title win.
Whereas in IPL 2023, MS Dhoni-led CSK will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR), CSK vs RR, on April 12 at Chennai. The 4 times champion, CSK, has won two games in three matches it played so far.