CSK may release Ben Stokes for knee surgery, may target new all-rounders
England Test captain Ben Stokes, who was picked by CSK for Rs 16.25 crore in the last mini-auction, is set to undergo surgery for a knee injury, which could potentially see him seeking release from IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
Stokes, who could only play two games in 2023 after suffering a toe injury, is aiming to regain fitness for the upcoming Test series against India, beginning January 24. With England’s packed calendar in red-ball cricket, Stokes is likely to find it difficult to remain in India for the majority of the first five months of the year.
Given the circumstances, it is understood that CSK may not mind giving him release, considering the remote chances of him bowling in all of their games. If Stokes does get the release, CSK will have Rs 16.25 crore freed for the auction, and they could potentially target new players such as Rachin Ravindra or Azmatullah Omarzai.