with Ben Stokes having been bought for a whopping Rs. 16.25 crores in the latest mini-auction, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan is feeling confident that the England test captain will be able to play the full season, running from March 31 – May 28, despite having to return home ahead of the single test against Ireland at Lords before the Ashes this summer. As the Chennai Super Kings players arrive in the city for their pre-IPL camp, Viswanathan is optimistic that Stokes will be able to stay the course for the entire season.
According to Viswanathan from Cricbuzz, the BCCI informed them that Ben Stokes would be available for the entire IPL season. Thus far, there has been no information that disputes this statement. Stokes has expressed his willingness to be ready for the Ireland Test on June 1st, but if CSK does well in the IPL, a compromise may have to be made. On the other hand, England test coach Brendon McCullum believes that Stokes’ preparations for the Ashes will not be hampered by playing in the IPL due to the excellent treatment he will receive from Chennai’s medical team. He also believes that Stokes is looking forward to writing the script of the Ashes.
The entire team is currently gathered in Chennai for a preparatory camp, except two players – Shardul Thakur and Ruturaj Gaikwad – who are both still at the NCA in Bengaluru. This is in light of CSK’s need to make changes following their last-place finish in the prior competition.
