CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming says Ben Stokes is still in recovery mode from his knee injury, and needs some more time before he starts bowling in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The all-rounder played his first match for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener against Gujarat Titans, but batted as a specialist player and failed to impress. He scored just seven runs off six balls before getting dismissed by Rashid Khan.
Speaking at the post-match conference after CSK’s five-wicket defeat against Gujarat, Fleming said that although Stokes is making good progress, he’s not yet ready to start bowling. The team is working closely with him to ensure he’s 100% fit and will introduce him to the bowling lineup when he’s ready.
Also Read: IPL 2023 | CSK vs LSG: MS Dhoni Inches Closer to Joining Elite Club of IPL’s 5000-run Scorers in Upcoming CSK vs LSG Match
Batting head coach Mike Hussey had previously confirmed that Stokes would play as a specialist batter in the early stages of the IPL 2023. The team manager is managing his workload carefully to ensure he’s ready to bowl in the later stages of the tournament. Stokes sustained the injury to his knee during the second Test match against New Zealand.
Also Read: IPL 2023 | CSK vs LSG: CSK all-rounder Deepak Chahar hopes to stay injury-free throughout this season
Despite the setback, CSK still has some promising players to look forward to. Fleming said that the team has some good players to come in, and they’ve introduced some new players in their opening match. While Ben Stokes’ return to bowling is uncertain, the Chennai Super Kings remain optimistic and confident in their abilities to deliver a strong performance in the tournament.