Ben Stokes Opts Out of 2024 IPL for Fitness and Workload Management

In a strategic move to prioritize fitness and manage his workload, England Test captain Ben Stokes has decided to forgo participation in the 2024 IPL. The all-rounder, aged 32, is set to undergo knee surgery ahead of England’s five-match Test series in India scheduled for the coming year.

Stokes, who was the Chennai Super Kings’ priciest acquisition for the 2023 IPL, had a challenging stint as he played only two matches due to persistent injury issues. The decision to skip the 2024 IPL was met with support from the Chennai Super Kings, with a statement from the team expressing understanding and backing Stokes in his effort to manage his workload effectively.

During his brief appearances in the 2023 IPL, Stokes contributed only 15 runs and bowled one over, going through a challenging phase with his fitness. The exact nature of his knee injury and the details of the upcoming surgery have not been disclosed, but Stokes had previously hinted at having a plan in place to address the issue during the recent World Cup.

Stokes, who last bowled on July 1 during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, has faced challenges in maintaining a balance between Test and 50-over formats for England. The upcoming Test series against India is set to commence on January 25 in Visakhapatnam.

The decision not to participate in the 2024 IPL is not entirely surprising, considering Stokes’ significant price tag of £1.63 million when he joined Chennai in late 2022. Despite contributing to Super Kings’ IPL victory this year, concerns about his fitness and workload management have led to this decision.

This move also reflects a unique period for multi-format England players, with the potential extended time in India due to various cricketing commitments. Apart from Stokes, players like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, and Mark Wood might also contemplate the toll of an extended stay in India, considering the World Cup, the five Tests starting in January, and the 2024 IPL that could collectively span six months from October to May.

For English players participating in the 2024 IPL, there will be a clash with home internationals against Pakistan in May, forming the final preparations for the T20 World Cup in June. With the backdrop of a challenging 50-over World Cup, the management of these players in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup defense in the Caribbean and the USA adds an interesting dynamic to the unfolding cricket calendar.