Chennai Super Kings made a significant addition to their squad last season with the inclusion of the English Test captain, Ben Stokes. Despite the franchise making a substantial investment to bring him on board, things didn’t unfold as anticipated in the last IPL season. However, Chennai Super Kings still emerged victorious, securing their fifth IPL title.
Chennai Super Kings etched their name in history by clinching victory against the Gujarat Titans in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This triumph marked their fifth IPL title, putting them on par with the Mumbai Indians’ record. As they gear up to defend their title in the upcoming season, the CSK franchise is gearing up for significant decisions.
A notable addition to the Chennai squad last season was the English Test captain, Ben Stokes. The franchise spared no expense, securing his services for a whopping INR 16.25 crore, making him their costliest acquisition in IPL auction history. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t unfold as expected. Stokes struggled to make an impact in the initial matches, and later, injuries further hampered his contributions. Now, it appears that the franchise has decided to part ways with Stokes.
Ben Stokes had a brief stint in the IPL 2023, featuring in just two matches where he managed to score 15 runs. His bowling performance saw him deliver only one over, conceding 18 runs. Unfortunately, an injury forced him to the sidelines, and subsequently, he left the camp to fulfill his national duties. Recent media reports suggest that the franchise is contemplating releasing the English Test captain.
There were high expectations for Stokes, evident in the bidding war during the last auction where CSK emerged victorious. However, his time with the team did not unfold as anticipated. Consequently, the Chennai-based franchise is likely to part ways with him ahead of the IPL 2024 auction scheduled for December.
The deadline for submitting the list of retained players is November 26, and Chennai is considering options beyond Ben Stokes at this point.
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