England allrounder Ben Stokes is finally headed to the IPL from New Zealand, where he has spent the past month-and-a-half alongside his family. ESPNcricinfo understands Stokes will land in Dubai, where the Royals are based, early Sunday.
As per the IPL’s Covid-19 protocol, Stokes will undergo the mandatory six-day quarantine, including clearing three tests, before he can meet with the Royals and be available for selection.
On Saturday morning Stokes posted a picture alongside his parents on Instagram, in conjunction with a caption titled ‘goodbyes never get easier’.
In August, mid-way into the Pakistan Test series, Stokes flew to New Zealand to be alongside his father Ged, who was detected recently with brain cancer. Stokes was granted leave by the ECB and missed not just the last word two Tests and thus the limited-overs leg of the Pakistan series, but also the six-match white-ball series against Australia.
Upon landing in New Zealand, Stokes admitted leaving Pakistan series was the “right thing” he did from the “mental” point of view.
The Royals haven’t yet commented on Stokes joining the squad, but the franchise has mentioned it’d not rush the Britain allrounder back and will provide him “as much time as he wishes” before he was ready to play.
The head coach of the Royals Andrew McDonald spoke to ESPNcricinfo before the start of IPL and claimed his support to stokes and is expected to give him as much time required for him to get in action.
While in Christchurch, Stokes had been readying for his return to competitive cricket by training with Sydenham Cricket Club, the first cricket club he played at back in New Zealand. “Been great being in Christchurch where it all began,” he said in another Instagram post. He thanked the Sydenham Cricket as they allowed him to use their facilities to bowl in.
Stokes’ arrival will prop a rather shaky middle order that’s currently struggling for consistency. With Steven Smith and Jos Buttler opening the batting, the Royals have had to believe the relative inexperience of Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia within the lower middle order, in conjunction with the out-of-form Robin Uthappa.