Ben Stokes to miss 2024 Indian Premier League season in bid to 'manage workload and fitness'

England Test captain will not play in the IPL next year as he focuses on international cricket after impending knee surgery
Ben Stokes played only two matches in the IPL in 2023
REUTERS

England Test captain Ben Stokes will sit out next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) season to manage his workload and fitness.

Stokes has been battling an ongoing knee issue for the past 18 months and confirmed earlier in November that he would have surgery after the World Cup.

The 32-year-old came out of one-day international retirement to play in the tournament, but defending champions England slumped to a dismal seventh-place finish in India.

England are due to play a five-match Test series in India before next year’s IPL, with the T20 World Cup then taking place in the West Indies and United States in June.

Once he has had surgery, Stokes said earlier this month that he expects to be sidelined for “five to seven weeks” before returning to lead the Test side in their five-match series against India, which is due to start in Hyderabad on January 25.

Chennai Super Kings say they are supportive of Stokes’ decision to sit out this year’s IPL and manage his workload.

“England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness,” said Chennai in a statement on Thursday morning.

“Stokes, 32, became a part of the Super Kings ahead of the successful IPL 2023.

“He recently participated in the ODI World Cup 2023, which he came out of retirement for.

“The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a 5-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.”

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