Ben Stokes Role in CSK: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought England all-rounder Ben Stokes for Rs 16.25 crore in the mini auction this time. But he could only bat in the opening match of IPL 2023. Despite missing the fifth bowler, captain Dhoni did not hand over the ball to Stokes. This is because Stokes is not fully fit for bowling at the moment. After the match, when CSK coach Stephen Fleming was asked about this, he gave a detailed answer.
Fleming said, ‘Stokes got enough time between the last Test match and then coming to India for IPL and during this he got his knee injury treated. We want Ben to take the right decision on this and bowl only when he is 100% fit for bowling.’
‘He is not at that level right now’
Fleming said, ‘He is not at that (bowling) fitness level yet. Right now he is not even in good rhythm in bowling. We are working closely with him and he is making good progress. We are very satisfied with what he has done so far and I think he too must be feeling very positive about his efforts and progress. Fleming also said that when he starts bowling, it will be like an additional contribution to his team.
Stokes is looking a bit colorless even in batting
Ben Stokes was able to score only 7 runs in 6 balls in the opening match of IPL 2023. At the moment he is not in good rhythm even in batting. He did play a match-winning inning for England in the final match of T20 World Cup 2022, but apart from that match, he could not spread much color in the entire T20 World Cup.
Read also…
Get the more latest Sports news updates