IPL 2023: Ben Stokes set to miss latter stages of mega franchise event

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is inching closer, and with the excitement growing around the competition, one of the most successful sides in the history of the competition Chennai Super Kings, have suffered an early blow.

The English all-rounder, Ben Stokes, who was roped in by CSK in December, recently confirmed that he will not be with CSK squad towards the end of the tournament. Stokes will be heading home to prepare for a Test match against Ireland, which will lead into the Ashes series.

The IPL schedule, which was announced recently, confirmed that the final of the tournament will take place on May 28, which is just four days before England’s Test match against Ireland. Stokes’ absence could be a big blow for CSK, especially towards the end of the competition.

Widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in world cricket, Ben Stokes has been an integral part of England for quite a few years now, and he will be looking to have that same kind of impact with CSK when the tournament gets underway.

 'I'll be making sure that I give myself enough time to get back and play that game' - Stokes on being available for Ireland Test and Ashes preparation

Ben Stokes also talked about his decision to not compete in the IPL towards its end and be available for England instead. "Yes, I'll play; I'll be making sure that I give myself enough time to get back and play that [Ireland] game," Stokes was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I'll probably get around to the individuals and ask them what they want to be ready for the Ashes, because those five games are obviously the big ones of the summer, and you've got to think about what the lads want. But what if something were to happen in that game [Ireland] and we lose someone for the Ashes."

"It's just one of those where you have to weigh up the options of what the individual person actually wants out of that week versus whether we really need to play that one. Because, obviously, I'm right in saying that series is bigger than that game against Ireland," Stokes concluded.