CSK Players Ben Stokes (sitting second from left) with teammates throughout therir practise session at M.A. Chidabaram Stadium in Chwennai on Monday.
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu
England Test captain Ben Stokes might be obtainable solely as a specialist batter for Chennai Super Kings within the early phases of the Indian Premier League 2023.
The star allrounder, who was picked by the four-time IPL champions for ₹16.25 crore in the course of the public sale held in December final yr, arrived in India final week and has been coaching for the upcoming season beginning March 31.
A report in ESPNCricinfo stated, Stokes, who has performed for Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant up to now, will doubtless play as a specialist batter initially to handle his knee harm, for which he has taken a cortisone injection — an anti-inflammation drugs.
The 31-year-old has been hampered by recurring accidents to his left knee, with the newest flare-up occurring throughout England’s tour of New Zealand. Stokes bowled solely 9 overs throughout two Tests and batted with quite a bit of discomfort on the ultimate day of the second Test in Wellington.
Terming the harm “very frustrating”, Stokes stated he hoped to “get into a position that I feel like I don’t have to worry about my knee anymore” with England set to host Australia for the Ashes this yr in June.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed Stokes may not bowl at the start of the IPL.
“My understanding is he’s ready to go as a batsman from the start. 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,” stated Hussey.
“The physios from Chennai (CSK) and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) 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,” Hussey added.
With the home-and-away format returning in IPL 2023, CSK are set to play in entrance of their followers at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Hussey hoped the setup brings one of the best out of Stokes.
“The ground is amazing: new stands up, full capacity. 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,” Hussey stated.
Hussey added that Stokes had been “hitting the ball really well” since arriving in India, predicting that he could be “huge” to the franchise’s bid to attain the playoffs, “particularly if we can get him bowling… having those allrounders is really important.”
