Stokes skips IPL 2024 to manage fitness and workload

The versatile Stokes, 32 years old , is expected to undergo knee surgery ahead of England's five-match Test series in India next year.
Stokes was the best player for Chennai Super Kings expensive signing for IPL 2023 but played only twice due to injury concerns.
A CSK statement said "management supports" Stokes' "decision to manage his workload."
Stokes scored just 15 points and played one over for 18 points in his two appearances for the Super Kings in the 2023 competition.
The dates of the 2024 edition of the IPL have not been confirmed yet but the T20 tournament is expected to take place from late March to late May.
Stokes has been hampered by a persistent knee problem in recent years , although he refused to reveal more about the exact nature of the injury or surgery when asked about it at the World Cup earlier this month.
He turned around on his one-day international retirement to play in England's defense the World Cup and after that he said he had a "very good plan in place" to resolve the injury problem.
Stokes has not played since July 1 - the fourth day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's - which has left England struggling to balance their Test and 50-over teams.

The Test series between England and India is scheduled to begin on January 25 in Visakhapatnam.
D' other players might decide to follow suit - analysis
Stephan Shemilt, BBC cricket editor

It's not a huge surprise. Stokes joined Chennai for a whopping £1.63 million at the end of 2022, but played just two matches as the Super Kings won the IPL this year.
Even though Stokes undergoes surgery to hopefully relieve the pain from his troublesome knee, both parties have fitness issues: Stokes for his workload, CSK for having an expensive foreign player on their books who they might not be able to fully utilize.
This is also a unique time for English multi-format players, given the long period of time they may be required to spend in India. The World Cup, followed by five Tests starting in January and then the IPL, could mean six months in India between October and May. Besides Stokes, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook and Mark Wood may decide enough is enough.
For any England players attending the IPL, there will be a clash with the local internationals against Pakistan in May which will be the final preparations for the T20 World Cup...

Sports Nov 25, 2023 0 39 Add to Reading List

Stokes skips IPL 2024 to manage fitness and workload

Ben Stokes throws a ball in the air while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023

The versatile Stokes, 32 years old , is expected to undergo knee surgery ahead of England's five-match Test series in India next year.

Stokes was the best player for Chennai Super Kings expensive signing for IPL 2023 but played only twice due to injury concerns.

A CSK statement said "management supports" Stokes' "decision to manage his workload."

Stokes scored just 15 points and played one over for 18 points in his two appearances for the Super Kings in the 2023 competition.

The dates of the 2024 edition of the IPL have not been confirmed yet but the T20 tournament is expected to take place from late March to late May.

Stokes has been hampered by a persistent knee problem in recent years , although he refused to reveal more about the exact nature of the injury or surgery when asked about it at the World Cup earlier this month.

He turned around on his one-day international retirement to play in England's defense the World Cup and after that he said he had a "very good plan in place" to resolve the injury problem.

Stokes has not played since July 1 - the fourth day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's - which has left England struggling to balance their Test and 50-over teams.

The Test series between England and India is scheduled to begin on January 25 in Visakhapatnam.

D' other players might decide to follow suit - analysis

Stephan Shemilt, BBC cricket editor

It's not a huge surprise. Stokes joined Chennai for a whopping £1.63 million at the end of 2022, but played just two matches as the Super Kings won the IPL this year.

Even though Stokes undergoes surgery to hopefully relieve the pain from his troublesome knee, both parties have fitness issues: Stokes for his workload, CSK for having an expensive foreign player on their books who they might not be able to fully utilize.

This is also a unique time for English multi-format players, given the long period of time they may be required to spend in India. The World Cup, followed by five Tests starting in January and then the IPL, could mean six months in India between October and May. Besides Stokes, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook and Mark Wood may decide enough is enough.

For any England players attending the IPL, there will be a clash with the local internationals against Pakistan in May which will be the final preparations for the T20 World Cup...