In what can be described as a pragmatic decision by an elite athlete, England’s cricket all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted out of the Indian Premier League’s 2024 season. This move is aimed at managing his workload and ensuring his fitness is at its peak for the crucial five-Test series against India, which precedes the IPL 2024, followed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in June of the same year.
The news was officially confirmed by Stokes’ Indian Premier League franchise, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), through a statement on social media. “England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness,” the statement from CSK outlined. Stokes’ affiliation with CSK began prior to the successful IPL 2023 when he was successfully auctioned for a hefty sum of Rs 16.25 crores. Unfortunately, fitness woes limited his participation to just two appearances, in which he managed a modest tally of 15 runs, and he was unable to claim any wickets during the season.
Despite this setback, Stokes’ competitive instincts remained undiminished on the international stage. After coming out of ODI retirement, he featured in six matches during the ODI World Cup 2023. His performances were noteworthy; he accumulated 304 runs at a commendable average of 50.66 and a solid strike rate surpassing 89. He notched up one century and a pair of half-centuries, with his highest score being a well-made 108. Although England concluded the tournament in seventh place, failing to retain their title, they did ensure qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy slated for 2025 in Pakistan.
The CSK management expressed their unequivocal support for Stokes’ decision to prioritize his international commitments, bearing in mind the rigorous Test series on Indian soil and the prestigious T20 World Cup that follows. The statement concluded with recognition of the franchise’s full backing of Stokes in his decision.
Over the course of 45 IPL matches, Stokes has a record of scoring 935 runs, averaging 24.61, with contributions that include two centuries and two half-centuries, showcasing his ability to make significant impacts. His personal best in the IPL is an unbeaten 107. Apart from batting, Stokes has demonstrated his prowess with the ball, taking 28 wickets with an impressive best figure of 3/15, further emphasizing his value as a genuine all-rounder.
Throughout his IPL career, Stokes has also represented other franchises, including the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPG) in 2017, and the Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2021. His significant contributions during the 2017 season were recognized as he was dubbed the ‘Most Valuable Player’ while representing RPG, which finished as runners-up that year.
Despite this news, the cricket fraternity will remain keenly interested in Stokes’ continued international exploits. The upcoming World Cup schedule and updates about various cricketing events continue to draw attention from fans worldwide. The sports community eagerly awaits the thrilling displays of cricket that lie ahead and wishes Stokes the best in his focused preparations for a busy international season.