CSK vs LSG: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Flemming confirmed that all-rounder Ben Stokes is not fully fit. This is the reason why he did not bowl in the Indian Premier League 2023 opener against Gujarat Titans on Friday, March 31. Following a cortisone injection in his left knee ahead of the season, Stokes will begin the IPL as a specialist batter. Meanwhile, CSK failed to defend a 179-run target in their first match of the season. Now CSK will face Lucknow Super Giants in their second match on April 3. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 Live Updates with Insidesport.IN
CSK vs LSG: Ben Stokes To Play as a Specialist Batter
The Chennai Super Kings will have to wait for Ben Stokes to be fully fit before using him as a bowler this season. Ben Stokes is recovering from a long-standing knee injury. Another reason that Stokes is playing as a specialist batter is that he wants to be healthy enough to play a full part in this summer’s Ashes series as England Test captain.
CSK acquired the services of Ben Stokes at a whopping INR of 16.25 crore for IPL 2023 season. The star all-rounder scored 7 runs off 6 deliveries at No. 4 in Super Kings’ defeat to the defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
In the post-match news conference, Fleming said that Stokes was “progressing well”. He had made strides toward full fitness in the month since England’s second Test in New Zealand.
“He had a fair amount of time off between the last Test match and getting here. And he had some medical work done on the knee. We want to do the right thing by Ben and make sure that he’s 100% ready to go,” said Fleming.
“He’s not there yet and that includes bowling form. We are working closely with him, but he’s making really good progress. We’re really happy with what he’s done so far and I think he feels pretty positive about the progress he’s made,” he added.
CSK To Play Second Match Against LSG
CSK only used five bowlers in their defeat on Friday night. Moeen Ali and Shivam Dube both remained unused. They will soon have Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana available after international duty. Fleming said that Stokes’ return to fitness would provide a boost later in the season.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings will play their second match of the season against Lucknow Super Giants on April 3. This will be CSK’s first home game of the season as they will play at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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