England Test captain Ben Stokes has undergone a long-pending knee operation, which he had delayed to participate in the Ashes and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The injury had prevented him from bowling during the World Cup, making the surgery imperative. Stokes shared an update post-surgery, accompanied by a photo in front of the hospital. His caption reads, ‘In and out, Under the done, rehab starts now.’ Wishing him a swift and smooth recovery as he embarks on the rehabilitation process.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have officially confirmed that England’s premier all-rounder, Ben Stokes, will be sitting out the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The decision is attributed to Stokes opting for a break to manage his workload and focus on his fitness. CSK released a statement on November 23, stating, “England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.”
This strategic move is in consideration of England’s busy cricket schedule, including a crucial 5-Test series in India before the IPL and the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2024. The Chennai Super Kings management expressed their full support for Stokes’ decision, acknowledging the significance of his role in the English squad and the need for proper preparation.
Stokes, who joined CSK ahead of the 2023 IPL season with a hefty bid of ₹16.25 crore, had a limited impact in the previous edition. He played in just two matches due to a persistent knee injury, scoring only 15 runs and bowling one over. His energies were primarily directed towards recovering for the subsequent Ashes series.
Despite his truncated participation, Stokes managed to showcase his prowess with one century and two fifties in the World Cup. However, he refrained from bowling in any of the six matches. The 32-year-old’s decision to skip IPL 2024 underlines the growing emphasis on player workload management, especially for those with international commitments in various formats of the game.
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