‘He won't be bowling much at all’ – Mike Hussey opens up on Ben Stokes' role as specialist batter in IPL 2023

Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey has revealed that English star all-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to start as a specialist batter in the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The management has decided to do so in order to tackle his recurring knee injury. 

Notably, Stokes has suffered from multiple injuries in his left knee over the years and to add to the woes, endured another flare-up on England's tour to New Zealand in February. The Englishman could manage to bowl only nine overs in the two Tests and batted through clear physical discomfort on the last day of the series. 

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the CSK all-rounder has taken a cortisone injection (a common anti-inflammatory injection that reduces swelling) ahead of the IPL and is likely to start as a specialist batter for the franchise. Michael ‘Mike’ Hussey shared an update on the player and added that Stokes could bowl ‘at some point’ in the competition. 

“My understanding is he's (Ben Stokes) ready to go as a batsman from the start. The bowling might be wait and see. I know he had his first very light bowl yesterday (Sunday) since he had his injections in his knee. The physios from Chennai and the ECB are working pretty closely together,” the batting coach told ESPNcricinfo.

“My understanding is he won't be bowling much at all in the first few games of the tournament. I'm not 100% sure, hopefully get him bowling at some stage in the tournament,” Hussey added.

Stokes will love the atmosphere here in Chennai: Mike Hussey

The yellow-outfit play their first fixture at home against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, April 3. While the crowd is all expected to go berserk when MS Dhoni and Co. take the field in Chennai after four years, Hussey further added that Stokes will be delighted with the electric atmosphere at home. 

He also attributed the heightened excitement to the opening up of the unused Chepauk stands which would be brought back to life in the upcoming competition. 

"The ground is amazing: new stands up, full capacity. The first home game, the atmosphere is going to be out of this world. I can't wait - and I'm sure Stokesy (Ben Stokes) is going to absolutely love it. That's the thing with those big players, they generally like a big stage and perform their best on it. Once he gets out there in Chepauk Stadium in front of an unbelievably loud crowd, I hope it's going to bring out the best in him,” remarked Hussey.