Ben Stokes would be donning the hallowed Yellow threads for the upcoming IPL but is still to reach his maximum potential because of his knee injury which he is somehow managing with a cortisone injection. That means bowling will be a serious challenge for the English all-rounder and he will be focused with the willow in the upcoming tournaments.
Chennai Super Kings coach, Mike Hussey had an observation about the World Cup winner, affirming the fact that he can actually be a game-changer considering his raw strength with the bat, Stokes was calm with the willow as he ushered England across the finish line under the pump, just as Pakistan started crawling in.
Here is what Ben Stokes had to say about his own expectations ahead of IPL 2023
Stokes himself admitted that he is not happy with the current situation and was expecting a complete recovery ahead of the IPL so that he could bang his way with his complete calibre, knocking the bowlers down like dominoes in front of a scorching fireball.
Mike Hussey said, “My understanding is he’s 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.”
He further continued, “The physios from Chennai and the ECB are working pretty closely together. My understanding is he won’t be bowling much at all in the first few games of the tournament… it might be a few weeks. I’m not 100% sure, [but we will] hopefully get him bowling at some stage in the tournament.”
Mike Hussey shares an interesting anecdote about Ben Stokes
Hussey further added, “From an Australian perspective, I’m going to hope he bowls 20 or 30 overs in the nets. We’ll be running him into the ground and I’ll be making sure he does extra weight sessions and run-throughs to put as much pressure on that body… I’m joking, obviously.”
He continued, “I want a fit Ben Stokes playing his best cricket at the Ashes. This franchise is very professional, works very closely with all the national boards, and I know our physio has already been working with the ECB physios. I want to see his best cricket at the Ashes; I want both teams at their best, going hard at it, and I think it will be an unbelievable series to watch.”
Mr Cricket also said, “Super Kings will play their first home game since 2019 on April 3 as the IPL returns to a full home-and-away season. “The ground is amazing: new stands up, full capacity. The first home game, the atmosphere is going to be out of this world.” The former Australian batter further said, “I can’t wait – and I’m sure Stokesy 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.”
