IPL 2023: 4 Reasons Why Ben Stokes Should Open The Innings For CSK

Ben Stokes, who’s considered as one of the finest all-rounders of modern-day cricket will play for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023. CSK signed Ben Stokes for INR 16.25 crore at the IPL 2023 auction to strengthen their side. Ben Stokes has shown brilliant leadership skills after taking the role of England’s test skipper. CSK will look to utilize his leadership skills as well as he can prove to be a good deputy to MS Dhoni.

Stokes played for the Rajasthan Royals for the last three seasons and was earlier a part of the Rising Pune Supergiant squad. He has done fair enough both with the bat and the ball in the previous few IPL editions.

Meanwhile, the bigger question that the CSK team management will face is where to bat Ben Stokes. While Stokes has played exceedingly well in the English middle order, CSK might be tempted to use him as an opener.

Here are the 4 reasons why Ben Stokes should open the innings for CSK in IPL 2023

1. Excellent Temperament in Pressure Situations

Ben Stokes has played multiple high-pressure games for his national side. He was a part of the 2019 World Cup-winning squad and the 2022 T20 World Cup-winning squad as well. He took England to a historic victory in Headingley Test in Ashes 2019.

More importantly, he was at the crease on all three occasions and didn’t throw his wicket till his side scored the final run. CSK will badly want to use his excellent temperament in IPL 2023 after having a terrible outing in the previous edition.

2. Experience of opening for Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals gave Ben Stokes a chance to open in a few games. Stokes did pretty well in a couple of games but he never got the same opportunity in the next season.

The English all-rounder understands the demand of the T20 format and can easily adapt to different conditions. He has a decent strike rate of 134.5 in the Indian Premier League and can use his previous experience for the Yellow brigade.

3. Ability to counter against the New Ball

The mighty all-rounder has got brilliant technique. He is a stalwart in the test format where he has shown some brilliant defense whenever his team needed him to anchor the innings.

Ben Stokes has also got brilliant footwork and can play all the textbook shots against the moving ball. His ability to counter-swing and pace will help CSK in getting the kind of starts they need.

4. Stokes can effectively complement Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad has shown brilliant game awareness in the past couple of seasons as an opener. However, after Faf du Plessis was bought by the RCB in IPL 2022 mega auction, Gaikwad hasn’t got any regular partner to open with.

The experience Stokes possess can help young Ruturaj Gaikwad to improve his game as well. They together will also form a right-hand left-hand combination which is crucial in modern-day cricket. If Ben Stokes and Gaikwad provide CSK with a good start, they have the middle order to rattle down any bowling lineup.