IPL 2023: Setback for CSK; Ben Stokes to Fly Back Home Ahead of Playoff Stage: Report

IPL 2023: The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League has entered its final phase, and the top four teams are about to finalize. The defending champion Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the four-time champion Chennai Super Kings are placed second with 15 points and need one win in their last group match to make it to the next round. However, CSK lost their last home game against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

They will now face the Delhi Capitals in their next match. It will take place on Saturday, May 20, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. If CSK wins that game, they will finish the group in second place and will face Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 at Chepauk Stadium. However, ahead of the playoff stage, the franchise has suffered a setback. Star English all-rounder and test captain Ben Stokes is all set to fly back to the UK after the last group match for CSK.

IPL 2023: Ben Stokes to Fly back home after last group match for CSK

The Chennai franchise spent INR 16.25 crore to acquire Stokes at the 2023 IPL auction. He became the most expensive player for CSK in the history of their auction. However, it has not gone as expected. The all-rounder played only two games, scoring 7 and 8 runs, and bowled one over, giving away 18 runs. After that, he got injured and didn’t participate in any of the games.

Notably, England will host Australia for a five-match Ashes series starting on June 16. However, prior to that, England will play one four-day test with Ireland between June 1 and June 4. As per reports from ESPN Cricinfo, Stokes will travel home after the last group match on Saturday. The reports confirmed, “Stokes will return to the UK after their final group game against Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon.”

The all-rounder has been suffering from a knee injury for a while now. He said that he wants to give him more time to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series. However, he didn’t feature in any IPL game after April 3 due to a toe injury. Earlier, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said that Stokes was available for selection last week, but they didn’t make any changes to the settled playing XI.