IPL 2023: England star Ben Stokes hints at SKIPPING IPL once again, cites jam-packed England schedule, says ‘we seem to be playing all year round’

IPL 2023 – Ben Stokes IPL 2023? After giving the IPL 2022 a miss, England Test captain Ben Stokes might ignore the upcoming season of the cash rich league as well. The Englishman has strongly indicated his focus on the longer format. And it is the hectic international calendar for England, which could force the Englishman to skip the IPL 2023: Follow IPL 2023 live updates with InsideSport.IN

Also Read: Ben Stokes Anxiety Issues: Just ahead of 2nd TEST vs South Africa, Ben Stokes admits ‘am on anxiety medication’: Check OUT

Asia Cup 2022 Live: VVS Laxman ready to take over as head coach…

It is interesting to note that the player recently announced his retirement from ODI cricket. It suggested that the player will have extra time on his hand to play franchise cricket as well. But the player has clearly put the longer format ahead of anything else.

IPL 2023: England star Ben Stokes hints at SKIPPING IPL once again, cites jam-packed England schedule, says ‘we seem to be playing all year round’

“I had made very clear that Test match cricket is at the forefront of my mind and all of my decisions will be based around Test matches, obviously with the captaincy duties to do that. My commitment outside of international cricket will be purely based around the schedule and what international cricket we have coming up,” News18 Cricket Next quoted Stokes as saying.

What makes his statement look even more surprising is the fact that there is a separate window for the IPL. More importantly, most of the English cricketers have chosen to play in the IPL in the past.

Stokes has always been one of the in-demand players for his all-round ability. The Englishman is one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. He can change the game on its heads in a matter of overs.

Top effort from @benstokes38 107* and Samson 54* as they steer @rajasthanroyals to an 8-wicket win against #MI.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/IuHBbTgEDa

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 25, 2020

It was for the same reason that the Rajasthan Royals paid 12.5 cr to land the player in Rajasthan Royals. Had the player confirmed his participation, he could have earned another package.

“It’s just an amazing experience to be involved in. But as I said, there’s schedule to look at and around the window where the IPL comes across in,” said Stokes.

“Our schedule as England cricketers is just jam-packed. We seem to be playing all year around. That’s because our summer is everybody else’s winter and when our winter comes around, it is summer for everybody else. People are coming to us and then we are going to the people to play cricket. It’s a case of looking at the schedule, looking ahead to see what we have all got coming up.”

Follow IPL 2023 live updates with InsideSport.IN