image credits: cskfansofficial/twitter
Despite a lingering knee injury, England Test captain Ben Stokes has stated that he will fulfil his million-dollar IPL 2023 contract with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Stokes admitted that it’s been frustrating knowing that his knee injury has kept him from performing to his full potential for so long.
During New Zealand’s second innings in the second Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington, Stokes struggled to bowl at his best. In the second innings, the 31-year-old couldn’t bowl more than two overs as England toiled for 162.3 overs before bowling the Kiwis out for 483.
Following England’s one-run defeat, Stokes revealed that he has spoken with CSK coach Stephen Fleming about the state of his body and will focus on getting fit in the coming weeks. According to the Daily Mail, he stated:
“I’m going to the IPL. I’ve had conversations with ‘Flem’ and he’s fully aware of the situation with my body. It’s a week by week case at the moment. I’m not going to lie, it’s incredibly frustrating knowing something has been holding me back from performing as I’d like to. I’ve been working hard with the physios and the medics trying to get myself to a place where I can fulfil my role as I have done for the last 10 years..”