'Hyped and Overrated' - Netizens brutally troll Ben Stokes after he fails to fire on his CSK debut

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) star all-rounder Ben Stokes faced massive backlash from fans after he was dismissed for mere seven runs on his debut for the franchise against Gujarat Titans on Friday. The two sides are currently squaring off in the curtain raiser of the 16^th edition of the highly-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

MS Dhoni and Co. were put into bat first and were under pressure right from the third over as they lost opener Devon Conway for just one run. Soon after his dismissal, Moeen Ali joined him as he was sent packing for 23 runs by star spinner Rashid Khan.

In came the costliest pick of CSK, star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was roped in for a whopping INR 16.25 crore price tag at the auction in December 2022. Considering the situation the yellow outfit was in, fans began to wonder if the Englishman would take the onus of firing the side to a big total.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Gujarat’s Rashid spun a web around Stokes and sent him back to the pavilion in quick time. The English all-rounder headed back to the dugout for a paltry score of seven off six balls which included just one boundary. Meanwhile, the Afghan spin wizard returned with two wickets as did veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and Alzarri Joseph.

CSK concluded with a first innings total of 178 runs for the loss off seven wickets. Impressively, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad played an innings-defining knock of 92 runs off 50 balls as he hammered nine maximums and got four boundaries to his name.

Considering that Stokes is unfit to bowl to not put much pressure on his left knee, CSK will require the rest of the bowling unit to operate in tandem to get the wickets. As the venue stats stand, teams batting second win the contest, however, MS Dhoni & Co. have a competitive total and decent bowling line-up to defend the chase. A couple of early breakthroughs can significantly change the course of the game for CSK. 

Netizens slam Ben Stokes after poor show against Gujarat Titans on CSK debut:

Kuldeep Kushwaha@imkuldeep90

Tell him to retire if he is coming to bat at this no. , Fans ka paisa barbad Ben stokes.... twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra…

Mufaddal Vohra@mufaddal_vohra

MS Dhoni is batting at No.8 for the first time in IPL history.

09:25 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

sudhanshu’@whoshud

In T20s Dube is what Ben stokes dreams to be

09:21 PM · Mar 31, 2023

10

Nikolai🔖@cricdoc__

Trade Ben Stokes with RCB @ChennaiIPL

09:15 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

Silly Point@FarziCricketer

No ball hai bhai, ask Nawaz. Call Virat Kohli. Bc

Lightning404@IshowLightning

@FarziCricketer Ben stokes😭💀

09:14 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

Ahmad.@inswinger30

ben stokes is a fraud he has been just lucky all the time

09:04 PM · Mar 31, 2023

80

zxcvbnm@bruss_013

Ben Stokes missed his big innings today...Black Shoes fml

09:03 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

கிஷோர் 💚@kishoreD55

Meanwhile Mahi bhai using Ben stokes be like #GTvCSK #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/KTT0KDuaWW

Mufaddal Vohra@mufaddal_vohra

Ajinkya Rahane said, "you'll see tomorrow how Mahi bhai uses Ben Stokes. It's completely in Mahi bhai's mind. He'll use him really well".

09:01 PM · Mar 31, 2023

10

Sriram R.@mosquitobatman

Shivam Dube is literally a better cricketer in every aspect than Ben Stokes. But Stokes is hyped and overrated and paid more only because he has fair skin. Indians will never appreciate Indians.

08:49 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

Anyayyy🦄@_kawaaaiiii

Ben Stokes looked the best in RR that's it!!!

08:47 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

ACKO@ACKOIndia

Ready to show off your meme game with #BoliBachchan? 🗣️🏏 Share your funniest, wittiest memes for @gujarat_titans inaugural ⚔ & stand a chance to win big! 🎁

Niraj Patel@Niraj_7891

@ACKOIndia @gujarat_titans CSK fans to Ben Stokes after his batting today : #ACKOForTheFans

08:28 PM · Mar 31, 2023

00

Farhan Khan@BabarAzam0056

Ben Stokes to CSK. #IPL2023

08:21 PM · Mar 31, 2023

31