• IPL 2023: Ben Stokes set to leave CSK after league stage, not to take part in playoffs

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    IPL 2023: Ben Stokes set to leave CSK after league stage, not to take part in playoffs
    Stokes played just two games in the IPL, just scoring eight and seven runs. Regarding bowling, Stokes has only bowled one over, giving up 18 runs while failing to claim a wicket.

    Digital Desk: Ben Stokes, the all-rounder for Chennai Super Kings and captain of England's Test team, is scheduled to fly back to England once the league stage of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) is finished.

    To allow himself enough time before the Ashes the following month, the Englishman, who has been in the CSK Playing XI just twice this season, will return to the UK, according to a report by the cricket website ESPNCricinfo. The five-test series against Australia begins on June 16, and Stokes has stated he will continue to serve as the fourth seamer throughout the series.

    Stokes played just two games in the IPL, just scoring eight and seven runs. Regarding bowling, Stokes has only bowled one over, giving up 18 runs while failing to claim a wicket. The England captain, though, has struggled with his fitness and was ruled out of the CSK Playing XI after April 3. 

    Stokes will leave after CSK's final game against Delhi Capitals on May 20 and may play in a test match against Ireland starting on June 1 to get ready for the Ashes.

    After being announced, he once more suffered an injury about which CSK coach Stephen Fleming provided little detail. Despite Stokes being pronounced healthy since last week, CSK hasn't made many changes over this. Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Matheesha Pathirana, and Maheesh Theekshana have often been the Super Kings' four international players.

    Following CSK's defeat to KKR, Fleming commented on Stokes' potential inclusion in the starting XI, stating that despite one defeat, the team is not planning to make significant changes to the lineup for their upcoming game in Delhi.

    "Ben's ability to bowl overs at the moment is still a little bit of a challenge, but he's there as that batting cover," Fleming said. "But with Moeen bowling well in good conditions - we go to Delhi [next] which has been turning - we think the balance of the side has been right," he continued.

    "Look, we're second on the table; it's not in our nature to change things up just because we suffered a defeat in which things didn't go as planned. We won't carry it out. We may tweak it, but our main priority right now is finding the best squad for Delhi, Fleming continued.