England’s Test captain and star all-rounder Ben Stokes has decided to withdraw from the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.

In a statement, released by Stokes’ IPL franchise Chennai Super League, the former champions said that they were “supportive of Ben in his decision”.

“England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness,” stated Super Kings.

“Stokes, 32, became a part of the Super Kings ahead of the successful IPL 2023.

“He recently participated in the ODI World Cup 2023, which he came out of retirement for.

“The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a 5-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.”

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However, Super Kings did not confirm whether they will release Ben Stokes.

Notably, the deadline to announce the retentions and releases for the 2024 edition of the IPL is November 26.

Meanwhile, if the franchise does not release the English all-rounder, there is a possibility that they will retain him and keep him ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025.

Stokes has been nursing a chronic knee issue and has announced that he will undergo surgery on his left knee after the World Cup to ensure that he will attain full fitness before the India tour next year in January where England are scheduled to play a five-match series.

Ben Stokes, who was the most expensive purchase for the Super Kings at INR 16.25 crore, featured in only two fixtures for the eventual champions. He scored 15 runs and bowled just one over that went for 18 runs.

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