“It is in Mahi…,” Ajinkya Rahane on how MS Dhoni will use Ben Stokes in CSK’s matches
Stokes had opened the bowling during last year's T20 World Cup for England and batted down the middle order. But he also opened the innings when he played for the Rajasthan Royals.
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Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane
England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been a match-winner in several international matches. After his heroics at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, he fetched a staggering amount of INR 16.25 crore at the mini-auction for this year’s IPL.
But the burning question amongst the fan is how the management will use him. The 31-year-old versatile all-rounder might only be a specialist batter, and not be seen bowling during the first half as per rumors because of a niggle in his knee.
It will be interesting to see if he bowls today or not because he has uploaded pictures of his practice sessions on social media and in one of the pictures, he can be seen bowling in the nets.
Ajinkya Rahane says MS Dhoni only knows how he will use Ben Stokes
But when Ajinkya Rahane, who was also roped in by the Chennai-based franchise during the auction last year, was asked about Stokes’s role, he didn’t give a direct answer. He said that the plan is inside Dhoni’s mind and that only during the match, everyone will see how Dhoni will use him.
“You will see that tomorrow how Mahi uses him. It’s completely in Mahi bhai’s mind. He will use him really well,” Rahane said on the eve of CSK’s campaign opener against Gujarat Titans.
Stokes had opened the bowling during last year’s T20 World Cup for England and batted down the middle order. But he also opened the innings when he played for the Rajasthan Royals. But as CSK already has their successful opening pair – Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, then Stokes can be seen batting in the middle order.
Meanwhile, when Rahane was asked about the role he wants to play, the 34-year-old said that even though he has always been an opener in T20Is, he will do whatever he will be asked to do by the management. “For me, it’s always the team, so whenever I get an opportunity I will give my best,” Rahane added.
The four-time champions will open their campaign against defending champions Gujarat Titans led by Hardik Pandya today (Friday, March 31) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. All the queries related to Stokes’s position and whether he will bowl or not will be seen in today’s match.
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