RR v CSK: Ben Stokes – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are likely to receive a massive shot in the arm as all-rounder Ben Stokes is raring to go against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in today’s Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The England all-rounder played only two games for CSK before sitting out in the next five games due to issues with his knee. At that time, CSK CEO confirmed Stokes could miss one or two weeks of IPL before being available by April 27. Now, CSK shared a massive update on Twitter about the England Test captain hitting the nets ahead of the RR vs CSK clash. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Back in Familiar territory!👋#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/8f9xLjT4wo
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 26, 2023
It is still not clear whether Stokes will bowl, however by the looks of it, the all-rounder has recovered from a knee niggle, and is set to play against old team Royals.
RR vs CSK: Who will Ben Stokes replace in the playing XI?
During Stokes’s absence from the playing XI, Dhoni went with Moeen Ali, Theekshana, Pathirana, and Devon Conway. With no clarity on Stokes’s availability as a bowler, it seems Dhoni will drop Pathirana to accommodate Stokes in the middle order. In the two games which Stokes played in IPL 2023 season, the Southpaw batted at number three. However, the England all-rounder may not bat at number three against RR as Ajinkya Rahane has sizzled at number three, scoring runs at a strike rate of 199.
Stokes will likely bat at number four or five, a role in which he usually bats for England in T20Is.
With Pathirana making way for Stokes, Dhoni has the option to use Shivam Dube as the third seamer. The all-rounder has been sparingly used as a medium-pace option by Dhoni. Currently, CSK are sitting at the top of the points table with five wins from seven games. A win against RR will put CSK in a solid position to qualify for the playoffs yet another time after failing to do so in the 2022 season.
CSK Playing XI against RR
CSK: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Theekshana, Deshpande, Akash Singh
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