In a surprising turn of events, England’s Test captain and all-rounder, Ben Stokes, has opted out of the much-anticipated 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Stokes, a pivotal player for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has attributed his decision to concerns about his fitness and a need to manage his workload, leading to speculations about his future with the franchise.
This choice comes in the midst of Stokes’ ongoing struggle with a persistent knee injury, leading the star player to undergo surgery in preparation for the upcoming Test series in India scheduled for early 2024. Stokes aims to prioritize his fitness for international duties, given England’s challenging five-Test series in India preceding the IPL and the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
While the Chennai Super Kings have expressed their support for Stokes’ decision, the franchise has not yet confirmed whether he will be released from their roster. The IPL has set a deadline of November 26 for franchises to declare their retentions and releases for the upcoming season. If Stokes is not released, the Super Kings will retain the option to keep him ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025.
Despite being acquired by CSK for a substantial 16.25 crores ahead of IPL 2023, Stokes had a limited impact in the previous edition, playing only two games due to his persistent knee injury. Despite his challenges, CSK emerged victorious in the IPL 2023 without his active participation. Stokes, who played as a batter in the World Cup 2023, has been cautious about his fitness, particularly in the demanding T20 format.
The Chennai Super Kings seem prepared for Stokes’ absence, having achieved success without him in the previous season. The team management is now focusing on ensuring the fitness of their iconic skipper, MS Dhoni, who had previously hinted at participating in his final IPL season after a triumphant win in Ahmedabad last year.
