IPL 2023: Stephen Fleming shares an update on when Ben Stokes could start bowling for CSK

Chennai Super Kings’ key all-rounder Ben Stokes didn’t bowl for them in their first game in IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans which proved to be costly for the franchise. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has shared an update on when Ben Stokes could start bowling for CSK as the all-rounder is progressing well.

Gujarat Titans defeated CSK in the opening game of IPL 2023. The MS Dhoni-led side clearly lacked bowling options in the game on March 31. Stephen Fleming addressed the post-match conference and discussed about Ben Stokes’ fitness.

“He’s progressing well. He had a fair time off between the last Test match and getting here. And he had some medical work done on the knee. We want to do the right thing by making sure that he’s a 100 percent ready to go. He’s not there yet, and that includes bowling form,” Stephen Fleming said in the post-match press conference.

“Really happy with what he’s done so far. I think he feels pretty positive about the progress he’s made. That’s another addition to the side when he starts bowling. We’ve got some good players to come in, and we’ve introduced some players today,” CSK head coach further added.

The lack of bowling options proved to be costly for CSK against the Gujarat Titans

CSK used only five bowling options Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Deepak Chahar. While they had only Deepak Chahar who has got some experience at the international level, their young pacers did get wickets but leaked a lot of runs.

CSK had bought Ben Stokes for a whopping INR 16.25 Crore considering the fact that they didn’t have any experienced International pacer in their squad. They must have expected Ben Stokes to bowl a couple of overs regularly in pressure situations.

Ben Stokes not being able to bowl has come as a major setback for CSK. It has clearly affected the kind of bowling combination they had expected before the start of the mega tournament. The absence of three key overseas bowlers in the initial games has added to the worries of the CSK franchise.