The writings were on the wall and now it’s official. Ben Stokes will not be playing IPL 2024. The England Test captain has made himself unavailable. Chennai Super Kings confirmed the development on the all-rounder. However, CSK have not clarified whether they will clear up Rs 16.25 Crore by releasing him. IPL 2024 Auction will be a shorter one before the mega auction in 2025.
Ben Stokes has been struggling with a knee injury. While he was supposed to go under the knife before the World Cup 2023, the plans were put on hold as he made a retirement u-turn.
However, as England will tour India in late January for a five-match Test series, Stokes will have the surgery now. With England looking to retain T20 World Cup title in June, Ben Stokes will get a much-needed rest.
Had he opted for IPL 2024, Ben Stokes would have been out of home for almost six months. After India series, Stokes would have played IPL for two and a half months and then in the T20 World Cup for a month.
During his CSK tenure, Stokes played just 2 matches, scoring 15 and bowled only an over for 18 runs.
CSK statement on Ben Stokes:
England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.
Stokes, 32, became a part of the Super Kings ahead of the successful IPL 2023.
He recently participated in the ODI World Cup 2023, which he came out of retirement for.
The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a 5-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Will CSK release Ben Stokes?
The million dollar question now is will CSK release Ben Stokes? The England all-rounder earns Rs 16.25 Cr at CSK. And that is a significant portion ahead of auction purse.
By retaining Ben Stokes, CSK could secure a future captain in IPL 2025 as MS Dhoni is on his last days as an active cricketer. However, IPL 2025 will have a mega auction and retention rules won’t be so laxed. CSK could only retain a maximum of 4-5 players in IPL 2025 and paying Rs 16.25 Crore for Ben Stokes may not make any sense.
Hence, if Stokes returns for IPL 2025, he is likely to be in the auction pool along with many others to be picked from.
