Stokes played only 2 matches in IPL 2023 for CSK.
He came into the IPL 16 tournament with much hype, but could only play two matches in all, scoring 15 runs. He initially spent time working on his knee issues and then was put on the bench after he suffered a toe injury.
By the time he recovered, CSK had a set playing combination, especially for the slow wickets in Chepauk, and Moeen Ali was preferred over Stokes in the XI. Stokes returned home before the playoffs despite CSK making it into the finals and defeating Gujarat Titans to win their fifth title.
Stokes believes that he played the 'John Terry role' in his IPL team CSK's victory this season. Stokes referred to Chelsea Legend John Terry who famously lifted the Champions League trophy in 2012 dressed in his Chelsea kit despite missing the final against Bayern Munich through suspension.
“Knee is in much better place…”: Ben Stokes confident of bowling during Ashes 2023 against Australia
"I played a little bit of a John Terry role winning the IPL," Stokes said during press commitments at Lord's.
Stokes watched the inspiring victory of his team against Gujarat Titans on his phone in the bar of the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, where the English team is staying at the hotel for their one-off match against Ireland.
"I think I would much rather have been playing. I've then seen that as an opportunity to train as opposed to playing and then topping yourself up as the tournament goes along. Once you get into the tournament it's like play, travel, all that kind of stuff. So, I was actually able to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one because I was able to concentrate on properly being able to train, whether that be technical stuff with the bat or fitness stuff, stuff in the gym and being able to concentrate on something else,” he said.
"And that was a really good way to get through that long period of having something else to focus on, as opposed to being disappointed I wasn't playing. So looking back on it, you might say it's disappointing to only play two games but I was able to then do something else. Sitting here today, I'm actually thinking it could have been a blessing in disguise - every cloud has a silver lining,” he signed off.
Ben Stokes didn’t bowl in the Ireland first innings, as he readies himself for the Ashes 2023 against Australia.
(ANI inputs)