Ben Stokes likely to opt out of IPL 2025 to focus on England's packed Test schedule

England's Test skipper Ben Stokes is likely planning to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega-auction to prioritise England's red-ball cricket calendar. The decision to omit comes ahead of a crucial period for English Test cricket, with major series against India and Australia around the corner.

The star all-rounder previously sat out the 2024 season to focus on England's home Ashes series. His last IPL appearance came in 2023 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he featured in only a handful of matches before being sidelined due to injury concerns. 

The decision appears to be influenced by England's packed Test schedule in 2025, which includes a five-match series against India and Australia. These series are crucial for England's World Test Championship (WTC) journey.

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Ben Stokes last played for CSK in the IPL

Recent changes in IPL regulations have made player withdrawals more consequential, with the BCCI implementing a two-year ban for players who pull out without valid reasons. This strict policy has particularly affected English players in the past.

Having previously retired from ODIs before returning for the 2023 World Cup, many speculate about his return to limited-overs cricket. The appointment of Brendon McCullum as white-ball coach ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy could influence Stokes' decision, given their strong working relationship. The 33-year-old has so far featured in 43 IPL games and has scored 974 runs and picked 28 wickets at an average of 34.79 and an economy of 34.79, respectively.