Ben Stokes is anticipated to start out the 2023 IPL season as a specialist batter and has obtained a cortisone injection to handle an damage in his left knee, According to ESPNcricinfo. Despite his recurring knee points, Stokes was signed for a hefty sum of INR 16.25 crore (roughly US$ 1.9 million on the time) by Chennai Super Kings in an public sale. He arrived in India final week and has been coaching along with his new teammates forward of their season opener in Ahmedabad on Friday, the place they’ll face defending champions Gujarat Titans.
Ben Stokes So Far__
A Thread Of Clicks!#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/GHywSNLoLv
— Hustler (@HustlerCSK) March 28, 2023
Stokes’ knee points had been aggravated throughout England’s tour of New Zealand final month, leading to him bowling solely 9 overs throughout two Tests and batting by way of bodily discomfort on the ultimate day of the sequence in Wellington. The all-rounder acknowledged the frustration attributable to the damage, however is hopeful that the IPL will present him with a possibility to get better and be absolutely ready for this summer time’s Ashes, which start on June 16. While Stokes declined to disclose the precise analysis of his knee problem, it has been reported {that a} subsequent scan confirmed no abnormalities, and the cortisone injection is an ordinary anti-inflammatory therapy aimed toward lowering swelling.
“My understanding is he’s ready to go as a batsman from the start,” Mike Hussey, Super Kings’ batting coach, instructed ESPNcricinfo and PA information. “The bowling might be wait and see. I know he had his first very light bowl yesterday [Sunday] since he had his injections in his knee. The physios from Chennai and the ECB are working pretty closely together. My understanding is he won’t be bowling much at all in the first few games of the tournament… it might be a few weeks. I’m not 100% sure, [but we will] hopefully get him bowling at some stage in the tournament.”
England coach Brendon McCullum has expressed his confidence within the Chennai Super Kings’ medical crew and Ben Stokes’ capacity to get better forward of essential moments. McCullum, who was Stokes’ former worldwide teammate, has overtly acknowledged his religion within the franchise’s “very good medical team” and has promised to keep up a correspondence with Stephen Fleming, the pinnacle coach of the Chennai Super Kings.
Stokes has beforehand talked about that he might return early from the IPL with a purpose to put together for England’s Test towards Ireland on June 1st, simply 4 days after the IPL remaining. He has already spoken to Michael Hussey, the Super Kings’ batting coach, about his eagerness to captain England for the primary time within the upcoming Ashes sequence.
“From an Australian perspective, I’m going to hope he bowls 20 or 30 overs in the nets,” Hussey stated, laughing. “We’ll be running him into the ground and I’ll be making sure he does extra weight sessions and run-throughs to put as much pressure on that body… I’m joking, obviously. I want a fit Ben Stokes playing his best cricket at the Ashes. This franchise is very professional, works very closely with all the national boards, and I know our physio has already been working with the ECB physios. I want to see his best cricket at the Ashes; I want both teams at their best, going hard at it, and I think it will be an unbelievable series to watch.”
Michael Hussey, the batting coach of the Chennai Super Kings, has famous that Ben Stokes has been in nice type since arriving in India and has been “hitting the ball really well”. He additionally expressed his perception that Stokes will play a big position within the franchise’s quest to succeed in the playoffs, particularly if he can contribute along with his bowling. Hussey emphasised the significance of getting all-rounders within the crew. With the IPL returning to a full home-and-away season, the Super Kings are set to play their first house sport since 2019 on April third.
“The ground is amazing: new stands up, full capacity,” Hussey stated. “The first home game, the atmosphere is going to be out of this world. I can’t wait – and I’m sure Stokesy is going to absolutely love it. That’s the thing with those big players, they generally like a big stage and perform their best on it. Once he gets out there in Chepauk Stadium in front of an unbelievably loud crowd, I hope it’s going to bring out the best in him.”
