Brendon McCullum, the head coach of England’s test team, stated that he has no problems about Ben Stokes joining Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023. The former Kiwi captain remarked that he really expects to see Ben Stokes participate in the IPL in 2023.
Ben Stokes has made the announcement that he will represent CSK in the IPL 2023 and pay the worth of whopping amount Rs. 16.25 crore CSK has paid for him during the auction. There were earlier suggestions that the England captain would skip the IPL 2023 because of a problem with his left knee. After the IPL 2023 is over, Ben Stokes must captain England in The Ashes 2023 at home in June.
Earlier, when Stokes confirms to lead England in their first Test of the home summer, which begins at Lord’s on June 1, speculations about his unavailability for the IPL 2023 got the wind. He declared that he would begin his preparation as soon as possible in order to focus on the Ashes. The IPL 2023 will begin on March 31 with the championship game taking place on May 28. On June 16, the Ashes begin.
Looking forward to watching Stokes playing for CSK
Brendon McCullum stated in an interview with ESPNcricinfo that he has faith in CSK’s team structure and that they have a competent medical staff that would take care of Ben Stokes. Thus, he doesn’t have any concerns about Stokes playing in the 16th IPL season.
“The Chennai set-up is excellent in looking after their players and they have a very good medical team and he will be well looked after. The skipper has a strong mind and he knows how to get right for the big moments. His life is that, right? I don’t think he’s jeopardising it”, McCullum said.
“So I don’t have any concerns. In fact I look forward to watching him play in it and see, without captaincy as well, the opportunity to play cricket without worrying about everybody else, knowing when he comes back into the fold and leads us into the Ashes campaign he’ll have the bit between his teeth and I think we’ll be alright”, the former New Zealand opener further added.
Ben Stokes will play in IPL 2023
Ben Stokes, an England all-rounder whom Chennai Super Kings paid Rs. 16.25 crores to purchase at the auction, was one of the most expensive picks in the IPL 2023. MS Dhoni will serve as the team’s captain, and Stokes is the most important addition to the lineup this year.
In order to prepare for the Test series against Ireland and The Ashes 2023 against Australia during the English summer season in June, Stokes is anticipated to leave the IPL sooner during the final leg.
Chennai Super Kings IPL 2023 squad:
MS Dhoni (c), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Chowdhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Kyle Jamieson, Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma.
Also Read: “I Am Going To The IPL, I Had Talks With CSK Coach,” Confirms Ben Stokes
