Ben Stokes. (Photo by TOI)
NEW DELHI: IPL franchise Royals of Rajasthan your main SUV is likely to be missed Ben stokes during the first part of the T20 event, as the World Cup winner is currently in New Zealand to be with his sick father, Ged.
Stokes, considered the best all-rounder in the world at the moment, left for Christchurch in the middle of the test series against Pakistan last month after his father, a former All Blacks International, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
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“Under New Zealand quarantine rules, Ben has just completed his 14 day isolation period after arriving in New Zealand. He will now be reunited with his father and obviously would like to spend some quiet time with his family right now. crisis “. “A source familiar with developments in the franchise told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Stokes has been bought by Royals for Rs 12.5 crore.
“It stands to reason that if he had 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 time in family and any discussion about their availability can only happen after that, “added the source.
IPL Starts September 19 in UAE, Forced to Leave India Due to COVID-19 pandemic. The event will conclude on November 10.
It is understood that the franchise will “wait” for Stokes to return to management and only if the cricketer confirms his availability for the second half will he move things forward.
The 29-year-old has played 67 Tests, 95 ODIs and 26 T20 Internationals. He played a major role in England’s World Cup triumph, as well as a hundred epic victories in an Ashes Test match in 2019.
Recently, he only won one Test against the West Indies despite not being fully fit with one hundred and fifty in each inning and three wickets.
“I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really focused,” Stokes told the Weekend Herald on Saturday after arriving in New Zealand.
“Leaving was the right choice from a mental point of view,” added the cricketer.
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