Superstar England all-rounder and Test skipper Ben Stokes hit the Chepauk nets on Friday to kick-start his preparation for the IPL 2023, wherein he will be donning the yellow of the Chennai Super Kings, who acquired the services of the marquee all-rounder for INR 16.25 crore in the IPL 2023 mini-auction.
CSK will meet the defending champions Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 opener on March 31, in Ahmedabad.
The MS Dhoni-led franchise is currently having its camp at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, in Chennai.
Ben Stokes arrived in Chennai on Friday morning, along with England teammate Moeen Ali, who has been part of CSK for the last two seasons. In the evening, Stokes hit the nets in Chepauk and was seen smoking some gigantic sixes, especially down the ground.
CSK uploaded a video of Ben Stokes clattering straight sixes – be it against a net fast bowler or a support staff member who was throwing the ball with the use of a sidearm thrower.
CSK captioned the video: “Ben Den #SuperForce”
Watch: Ben Stokes hits big sixes in CSK nets
Ben Den 🔥 #SuperForce 🦁💛
Live Now ➡️ https://t.co/Twii0Iazaw pic.twitter.com/7uX2ctwwfT
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 24, 2023
Ben full swing 🫡💛https://t.co/vBradJ3gGy
— Karthi Dhoni (@KarthiMsdian) March 24, 2023
This net session would also allay the worries for CSK and its fans about Ben Stokes’ knee injury.
The 31-year-old England Test captain had suffered a knee injury in New Zealand, but assured the CSK fans that he will be fine – and he looks fine now.
However, Stokes had also confirmed that he will do everything possible to be available for the Ireland Test, which will start on June 1, just 3 days after the scheduled final of the IPL 2023.
“Yes, I’ll play,” Stokes had told reporters after England’s win against New Zealand in the first Test when asked if he will play the Ireland Test. “I’ll be making sure that I give myself enough time to get back and play that (Ireland) game.”
This means that Stokes is unlikely to be available for the playoffs or the final of IPL 2023 should CSK reach it.
Chennai Super Kings Squad for IPL 2023:
MS Dhoni (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Sisanda Magala, Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma, Sisanda Magala
