In what can only be good news for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and IPL fans across the world, their premier all-rounder, England’s Ben Stokes will not be missing the entire IPL 2020 and might join the squad in October.

Stokes has been in New Zealand to tend to his father Ged, who was diagnosed with brain cancer and also missed England’s last two Tests against Pakistan and then skipped the entire white ball series against Australia.

RR, who got off to a 16-run win over the formidable Chennai Super Kings in their first match in Sharjah on Tuesday, will be thrilled with Gulf News reports, that he is expected to arrive early in October, which can see him assisting the Royals for up to 10 of the 14 league matches.

WATCH: Ben Stokes returns to training in Christchurch; shares video on social media

In 34 IPL matches, Ben Stokes has made 635 runs with one century and has taken 26 wickets. He along with Jos Buttler, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer form the crux of RR playing XI.

Speaking of Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batsman who was in quarantine as he arrived separately with his family, joined the practice from Thursday.

Royals play Kings XI Punjab next in Sharjah on September 27.

RR was also pleased with Steve Smith, as their captain showed no lingering effects from a concussion in helping his side beat Chennai. He missed Australia’s three-match ODI series against England earlier this month after he was hit on the head by a ball in the nets. But he made a fluent 69, aiding Sanju Samson in putting up 216 runs on the board against CSK.

(Gulf News inputs)