Ben Stokes is likely to play as a specialist batter at the start of the 2023 IPL and has had a cortisone injection in order to manage an injury to his left knee, ESPNcricinfo understands.
Stokes, who was signed for INR 16.25 crore (US$ 1.9 million approx. at the time) as Chennai Super Kings’ costliest signing in an auction, arrived in India last week and has been training with his new team-mates ahead of their season opener in Ahmedabad on Friday night, against defending champions Gujarat Titans.
He has managed recurring injuries in his left knee over a number of years, but suffered a flare-up on England’s tour to New Zealand last month, bowling only nine overs across two Tests and batting through clear physical discomfort on the final day of the series in Wellington.
Stokes admitted the injury had been “very frustrating” at the end of the tour, but said that the IPL would represent an opportunity to “get myself into a position that I feel like I don’t have to worry about my knee…