IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals unsure about the availability of Ben Stokes

Rajasthan Royals (RR) is unsure about the participation of their star all-rounder Ben Stokes ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stokes is currently in New Zealand with his family as his father is diagnosed with brain cancer.

The English all-rounder had left the Pakistan Test series in the middle and also pulled out of the limited-overs series against Pakistan followed by the Australia tour to be with father.

‘We are not sure where Stokesy is right now’: McDonald

Ben’s absence from the England squad has increased the chance of him missing the 13th edition of the Indian league. The RR head coach Andrew McDonald admitted that there is still no clarity about the 29-year-old star’s availability for the tournament.

“First and foremost, thoughts with the Stokes family. It’s a difficult scenario, so we are giving him as much time as he needs, and connecting with him as best as we can. So yeah, we are not sure where Stokesy’s right now, but once it has played out, then we can make our decisions from there,” McDonald told ESPNCricinfo.

When Rajasthan Royals will be on a mission to recreate the moment of 2018 season in which they clinched the title, Stokes’s absence from their squad can hurt the middle order.

Meanwhile, the franchise has several options for a replacement for the stalwart all-rounder. They can consider Tom Curran and David Miller who also have the ability to win matches for the team.

The franchise will play their first match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on September 22.

Also read: 2008 IPL Final: Relive how Warne-led Rajasthan Royals lifted their maiden title