Deltin7 TATA IPL Latest News 2023 | Ben Stokes Injury Update: According to sources, Ben Stokes, who was signed for INR 16.25 crore (US$ 1.9 million approx. at the time) as Chennai Super Kings’ costliest signing in an auction, is likely to play as a specialist batter at the start of the 2023 IPL. This decision has been taken in order to manage an injury to his left knee, which has been causing him recurring pain over a number of years.
Stokes has had a cortisone injection to help with the injury and arrived in India last week to train with his new team ahead of their season opener in Ahmedabad on Friday night, against defending champions Gujarat Titans.
Stokes suffered a flare-up on England’s tour to New Zealand last month, bowling only nine overs across two Tests and batting through clear physical discomfort on the final day of the series in Wellington.
He admitted that the injury had been “very frustrating” and expressed his hope that the IPL would provide an opportunity to “get myself into a position that I feel like I don’t have to worry about my knee anymore” ahead of this summer’s Ashes, which starts on June 16.
Despite the injury, Stokes has confirmed that he has a specific diagnosis of the issue, which he has chosen not to disclose publicly. He has taken the cortisone injection, which is a common anti-inflammatory injection that reduces swelling, in order to be fit to play in the IPL.
Super Kings’ batting coach, Mike Hussey, told ESPNcricinfo and PA news that he believes that Stokes is ready to go as a batsman from the start, but that the franchise will need to wait and see when it comes to his bowling.
Hussey revealed that Stokes had his first very light bowl on Sunday since having the injections in his knee, and that the physios from Chennai and the ECB are working closely together.
“Bowling might be wait and see. I know he had his first very light bowl yesterday since he had his injections in his knee,” Hussey said.
“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.”
Stokes has previously indicated that he will consider returning early from the IPL in order to prepare for England’s Test against Ireland at Lord’s from June 1, four days after the IPL final. He has already spoken to Hussey about his excitement for the Ashes series that follows, his first as England’s captain.
Hussey said that Stokes had been “hitting the ball really well” since arriving in India, and predicted that he would be “huge” to the franchise’s bid to reach the playoffs, “particularly if we can get him bowling… having those allrounders is really important”.
Brendon McCullum, England’s coach, has expressed his faith in the franchise’s “very good medical team” and Stokes’ ability to “get right for the big moments”. He said after their tour to New Zealand that he would be in touch with Stephen Fleming, Super Kings’ head coach, and his own former international team-mate.
In conclusion, while it remains to be seen when Stokes will return to bowling, Super Kings fans can rest easy knowing that their star player is ready to go as a batsman. With the IPL returning to a full home-and-away season, Super Kings fans can also look forward to seeing Stokes play in front of a home crowd for the first time since 2019.
Despite the injury, Stokes remains a crucial player for the franchise and will undoubtedly play a key role in their bid to reach the knockout stages of IPL.
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