While England Test skipper Ben Stokes will take part in the upcoming IPL season, he will leave the cash-rich tournament early to lead his side in the one-off Test against Ireland and prepare for the Ashes series.

The 2023 edition of Indian Premier League is scheduled to be played from March 31 to May 28. On the other hand, the solitary Test versus Ireland is due to get underway on June 1 at Lord’s and the iconic Ashes series against Australia will begin on June 16.

Stokes, who missed the last two seasons of IPL due to various reasons, was snapped by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a hefty sum of INR 16.25 Crore at the mini-auction in December 2022.

The ace all-rounder said he will be back in England to prepare for the busy home season even if CSK qualify for the IPL 2023 final.

"Yes, I'll play," Stokes replied when asked if he'll play the Ireland Test.

"I'll be making sure that I give myself enough time to get back and play that (Ireland) game," he said ahead of England's second Test with New Zealand.

Stokes further stated that he will consult other England Test players featuring in the IPL about their preparation for the Ashes.

Notably, the likes of Joe Root, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran and Harry Brook are set to take part in the league.

"I'll probably get round the individuals and ask them what they want to be ready for the Ashes, because those five games are obviously the big ones of the summer, and you've got to think about what lads want.

"But what if something was to happen in that game (Ireland) and we lose someone for the Ashes ... It's just one of those where you have to weigh up the options of what the individual person actually wants out of that week, versus do we really need to play that one.

"Because, obviously, I'm right in saying that series is bigger than that game against Ireland," he remarked.

(With PTI Inputs)