Ben Stokes to play for CSK in IPL 2023 despite 'frustrating' knee issue

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Ben Stokes on Tuesday confirmed that he will be available for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) matches in the IPL 2023 despite a knee issue which hasn't allowed him to be perform at his best.

The star all-rounder, who was bought for a whopping Rs 16.25 crore by MS Dhoni-led CSK in the IPL 2023 auction, could bowl only two overs in the second innings of the second Test match which his team lost by one run against New Zealand on Tuesday.

New Zealand, who had been forced to follow-on, benfited from Stokes' injury, and batted for 162.3 overs to pile up 483 runs and set a 258-run target for the visitors.

"I’m going to the IPL. I’ve had conversations with 'Flem’ and he’s fully aware of the situation with my body. It's a week by week case at the moment. I’m not going to lie, it’s incredibly frustrating knowing something has been holding me back from performing as I’d like to. I’ve been working hard with the physios and the medics trying to get myself to a place where I can fulfil my role as I have done for the last 10 years," Stokes said in the post-match press conference.

The 31-year-old also talked about the upcominng home Ashes against Australia, saying that he would be doing his best over the next four months to get over the recurring knee issue and be match fit before the first Test which kicks off from June 16.

"I’ve got a four-month period now to get it better before the Ashes because I want to be turning up for the first Test in Birmingham able to fulfil my role properly. I’ll be doing everything I can to give myself the best opportunity not to have to worry about it."

The IPL 2023 kicks start from March 31 and CSK play their first match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on the same date.