Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming has given a huge update on availability of England all-rounder Ben Stokes who has been warming the bench due to injury after playing the first two matches for CSK in the ongoing IPL 2023.
He has not been in action since missing the Mumbai Indians encounter on April 8 with a toe injury. Stokes has so far missed four matches.
“Ben Stokes has suffered an injury setback and will be out for a week. Stokes, just a setback, I’m not going to go into it, but it’s not major. It’s just that he’s close. He’s working really hard to get right, can’t fault that at all. So, he just needs a little bit of luck,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference on Friday.
Meanwhile, he conveyed that MS Dhoni is fine and has been managing his knee injury well. He also said that Dhoni is an “absolute craftsman” behind the stumps, but doesn’t get enough credit for his glovework.
“MS is completely fine. He is managing his injury well. He is available. He always keeps the team first. If he knows he can’t contribute because of injury, he would have sat out himself. There is no concern with him,” Fleming said.
“It’s natural talent. I don’t think he gets enough credit for his keeping but, to be honest, he is an absolute craftsman, absolute masterclass behind the stumps and often goes unnoticed with all the things he does,” the CSK head coach added.
(PTI inputs)
