Ben Stokes Injury: Big blow to Chennai before IPL 2023, Ben Stokes will not bowl in opening matches

Before the start of IPL 2023, Chennai Super Kings have suffered a major setback. The team's star all-rounder Ben Stokes is not fully fit before the start of this season and will not bowl in the first few matches. Stokes has a left knee injury and is not bowling at the moment, if his fitness improves, he could be seen bowling in later matches.

Stokes was roped in by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping 16.25 crores in the mini auction held in December last year. According to Mike Hussey, he has had a cortisone injection in his left knee ahead of the Ashes. The 31-year-old Stokes was not fully fit during England's recent tour of New Zealand and after bowling just two overs in the second Test in Wellington, he said: It's a disappointment if you find it."

The England and Wales Cricket Board medical staff are working closely with the Chennai Super Kings medical staff to manage Stokes' workload ahead of the five-Test Ashes series between England and Australia starting in June.

Hussey, the Super Kings' batting coach, worked with the England team that won the T20 World Cup in November. He added that his workload will be taken care of in IPL 2023 starting on Friday.

He said, "The physios of Chennai and ECB are working closely together. He is ready to play as a batsman from the beginning. A decision on his bowling will be taken after a while. I know he has played a lot this week." Bowled lightly as he had an injection in his knee. I think he won't bowl much in the first few matches of the tournament or for a couple of weeks. I'm not quite sure. But hopefully we'll see him as we go on in the tournament. Will be able to bowl."

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