English cricket sensation Ben Stokes has opted out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he was slated to represent the Chennai Super Kings. This decision stems from Stokes prioritizing his workload and ensuring his fitness ahead of other commitments. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) released a statement expressing their support for Stokes’ decision, but it remains unclear whether the player will be released from their roster.
The statement reads,
The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a 5-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
The IPL rules dictate that the date for player release and retention is set for November 26, as confirmed by the IPL authorities. If Stokes is not released by CSK, the team will have the option to retain him for the IPL 2025 season. In the 2023 season, Stokes had entered the auction and was secured by CSK for a whopping 16.25 INR crore, making him the most expensive player. Unfortunately, his impactful presence was limited to just two games due to injury, where he contributed 15 runs.
Before the World Cup, Stokes had hinted at undergoing knee surgery, and his return to cricket hinged on the decision of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Putting in significant effort off the field to facilitate a quicker recovery, Stokes expressed his primary focus on ensuring his knee is in optimal condition, aiming to be fully prepared for the upcoming Test series in India.
Expressing his commitment to the recovery process, Stokes stated,
“I’ve put a lot of hard work in away from cricket to give myself the best chance of a quicker recovery and, with Christmas and everything coming up, the main thing for me is getting this knee right and being ready and raring to go for that Test series in India.”
His dedication to returning to peak form is evident as he gears up to join the squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in India, scheduled to commence later in January 2024.
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