England Test captain Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for the 2024 Indian Premier League season as he manages his workload, the Chennai Super Kings have announced.
Stokes was bought by CSK for $1.98million ahead of the 2023 IPL season, which saw the franchise capture its fifth title with a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in May’s final.
However, Stokes only played two matches during an injury-hit campaign, and the all-rounder suggested a packed schedule was taking its toll after England’s poor showings at the recent Cricket World Cup.
Stokes came out of international one-day retirement for England’s title defence in India, which ended in a disappointing group-stage exit, despite suffering from a chronic injury to his left knee.
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After the tournament, he revealed he would undergo surgery and be out of action for between five and seven weeks in a bid to be fit for England’s five-Test series in India early next year.
Stokes will also miss the 2024 IPL season – which begins in the Spring – to prioritise his return to full fitness, it was confirmed on Thursday.
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A statement from Stokes’ franchise read: “England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes, has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.
“The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a five-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.”
Stokes has played 45 matches in the IPL throughout his career, being named the league’s most valuable player for the 2017 season while representing Rising Pune Supergiant.
