IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals is probably going to miss its premier all-rounder Ben Stokes during the initial segment of the T20 occasion as the World Cup-champ is at present in New Zealand to be with his debilitated dad Ged.
Ben Stokes Miss IPL 2020
Stokes considered the world’s best all-rounder at the present time, left for Christchurch in the Test series against Pakistan a month ago after his dad, a former All Blacks International was determined to have cerebrum malignancy.
“As per quarantine rules in New Zealand, Ben has just completed his 14-day isolation period after reaching New Zealand. Now he will be meeting his father and obviously he would like to spend some quiet time with his family in this time of crisis,” a source privy to developments in the franchise told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Stokes has been bought by Royals for Rs 12.5 crore.
“It is only logical that if he has just completed his quarantine, he would not be available for the first part of the IPL and that is completely understandable. The franchise will not even call Ben as this is not a priority at the moment. Let him spend quality family time and any discussions on his availability can happen only after that,” the source added.
The IPL starts on 19 September in the UAE, forced out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will conclude on 10 November.
It is understood that the franchise will “wait” for Stokes to get back to the management and only if the cricketer confirms his availability for the second half, it will take things forward.
Ben Stokes Legacy
The 29-year-old has played 67 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 26 T20 Internationals. He had a major role in England”s World Cup triumph besides an epic match-winning hundred in an Ashes Test match in 2019.
Recently, he single-handedly won a Test against West Indies despite not being fully fit with a hundred and fifty in each innings and three wickets.
“I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really in it,” Stokes had told the Weekend Herald on Saturday after reaching New Zealand.
“Leaving was the right choice from a mental point of view,” the cricketer added.
