Ben Stokes will not be able to bowl in the first few matches to recover from his left knee injury

The biggest cricket festival IND T20 League 2023 is about to begin and we are just two days from the 16th edition of this scintillating mega show. The tournament's first match will take place between the current league champions Gujarat and 4-time league champions Chennai on 31st March at 07:30 PM IST. 

Ahead of this epic opening clash the tension between the teams and captains are not showing any signs of abating. Going to debut for Chennai, Ben Stokes, the Test captain of England and one of the best all-rounders in the world had a cortisone injection in his troublesome left knee before departing for the IND T20 League. The left-handed batter Stokes is set to start the tournament as a specialist batter as he manages his fitness ahead of the Ashes.

According to reports, 31-year-old Ben Stokes might not bowl in the opening clash of this year’s IND T20 League, he will play as a specialist batter in the Chennai side. A report in Cricinfo has come out, which states that “Ben Stokes will not be able to bowl in the first few matches to recover from his left knee injury." Ben Stokes has been bought by Dhoni-led Chennai in the Indian T20 League 2023 auction for Rs 16.25 crore. The most expensive purchase of Chennai in this year's Indian T20 League.

Ben Stokes has reached India and is currently training with his team in Chennai. Some of his videos have also surfaced, In which he is seen batting. Reports say that Ben Stokes is battling a recurring injury to his left knee. Talking about the last few times, he has bowled very little. Stokes bowled only nine overs during the Test series played against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has said that the last few days of this tour were very difficult. He says he wants to escape such a situation again in this massive showdown. It is also difficult for Ben Stokes to bowl because the Ashes are starting on June 16, immediately after the 16th edition of this league.

The flamboyant all-rounder has played 43 matches in his IND T20 League career and scored 920 runs, with an average of 25.55. He has also slammed 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries, with his highest league score of unbeaten 107 runs.

Meanwhile, Chennai batting coach Mike Hussey said that Ben Stokes will initially play as a batter and will have to wait a few days for his bowling. He says that Stokes spent some time bowling in the net on Sunday, but for that, his knee was injected. He told that the physios of the franchise and the English Cricket Board are working together, but even after this, he will not be able to bowl in the first few matches.

But at the same time, he also added that he is hopeful he will be given some bowling in the end. The Chennai team will play their first match on March 31 but will land on their home ground i.e. Chepauk Stadium in Chennai to play on April 3.

Chennai Squad:

MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande, Ravindra Jadeja, Mukesh Chowdhary, Deepak Chahar, Ambati Rayudu, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Ben Stokes, Nishant Sindhu, Ajinkya Rahane, Sisanda Magala, Ajay Mandal, Shaik Rasheed, Bhagath Varma.