Last Updated on 3 years ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Why has Ben Stokes left the CSK squad? | Ben Stokes leaves IPL 2023 to join England squad ahead of Tests
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) confirmed on Sunday that English Test skipper and star all-rounder Ben Stokes has left the CSK camp to join national duties ahead of the Three Lions’ Test against Ireland on June 1. “Home bound for the national duty! We’ll be whistling for you, Stokesy! Until next time!” the franchise posted on their official social media handles.
CSK had acquired Stokes for a whopping sum of Rs 16.25 crore in the auction in December. The plan appeared to be to optimise his batting prowess to strengthen the team’s middle-order. However, the 31-year-old played only two games throughout the season, aggregating 15 runs before being sidelined due to a heel injury.
Stokes was out for a major portion of the games in April as he hadn’t recovered completely from the fitness setback. By that time, CSK had already gathered enough momentum in the season with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube stepping up at the number three and four spots in the playing XI respectively.
Rahane has two half-centuries to his name at a strike rate of 169.88 whereas Dube has struck 385 runs with three half-centuries and a strike rate of 160.42. CSK batting coach Michael Hussey revealed earlier this month that Stokes had recuperated completely from his injury and was fit for selection. Yet, the seasoned World Cup winner wouldn’t have been able to roll his arm over anyway.
In that backdrop, CSK skipper MS Dhoni and the team management continued to trust fellow English all-rounder Moeen Ali’s all-round abilities over Stokes’ batting. Moeen has had a middling season so far. He has notched only 123 runs at an average and strike rate of 16.43 and 132.18 respectively.
However, with the pitches slowing down, Moeen’s off-spin comes in very handy for Dhoni. He has already picked nine wickets at an economy of 7.50 and is likely to come to the fore more with the ball in the playoffs as well.
