Is Ben Stokes Risking Injury By Playing IPL For Chennai Super Kings? Brendon McCullum has a clear answer

England head coach Brendon McCullum believes the upcoming IPL will not “jeopardise” Ben Stokes’ Ashes comeback and expressed confidence in the Chennai Super Kings medical team to look after the premier all-rounder. Battling a recurring left knee injury, the English captain bowled only nine overs in the two-Test series against New Zealand. He looked in pain even during his innings of 33 in their dramatic one-run defeat here. McCullum said, “I don’t think he is jeopardizing it (by playing the IPL). The Chennai set-up is excellent at looking after their players and they have a very good medical team and they will be well taken care of.” ” In ESPNcricinfo.

“The captain has a strong mind and knows how to be right for the big moments. His life is right, so I’m not worried.” Stokes was the third costliest buy in the IPL 2023 auction where CSK bought him for Rs 16.25 crore.

The most lucrative franchise league is all set to begin on March 31, with CSK taking on defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

The tournament will conclude on May 28, while the five-Test Ashes begins on June 16 at Edgbaston. Stokes-led England would be eyeing to clinch the series for the first time since 2015.

England’s Ashes winners Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison, however, urged Stokes not to play in the IPL.

But McCullum looked at the bigger picture and said Stokes would be more than willing to write an “Ashes script”.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing him play in this and see, even without the captaincy, the opportunity to play cricket without worrying about everyone knowing when he’ll be back in the team and lead us into an Ashes campaign A little between his teeth and I think we’ll be fine,” the coach said.

“He sees the big picture in everything, so I have no worries that the captain will be taken care of perfectly. And I also believe that the Ashes is the script the captain has been waiting to write , so that would be good.”

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