England Test captain to skip 2024 Indian Premier League to manage fitness and workload

BBC, Nov 23 - England Test captain Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for the 2024 Indian Premier League in order to manage his workload and fitness.

All-rounder Stokes, 32, is due to have knee surgery before England's five-match Test series in India next year.

Stokes was Chennai Super Kings' most expensive signing for the 2023 IPL but played just twice due to injury issues.

A statement from CSK said their "management is supportive" of Stokes' "decision to manage his workload."

Stokes scored only 15 runs and bowled one over for 18 runs in his two appearances for the Super Kings in the 2023 competition.

The dates for the 2024 edition of the IPL have yet to be confirmed but the T20 tournament is expected to take place from the end of March through to the end of May.

Stokes has been hampered by a persistent knee issue throughout recent years, although he declined to reveal more about the exact nature of the injury or the operation when asked about it during the World Cup earlier this month.

He made a shock u-turn on his one-day international retirement to play in England's World Cup defence and after doing so said he had a "very good plan in place" to fix the injury problem.

Stokes has not bowled since 1 July - day four of the second Ashes Test at Lord's - which has left England with difficulties balancing their Test and 50-over teams.