MUMBAI: Former player and commentator Akash Chopra said that Chennai Super Kings later realized that England star Ben Stokes would not fit into the team structure, despite being bought for over Rs 16 crore. Chopra decided that despite being out of the team due to injury, Chennai Stokes who returned from injury did not play due to this realization. Chopra said this in a video posted on YouTube. Bought by Chennai for Rs 16.25 crore in the IPL star auction, Stokes played only a few matches.
“Chennai Super Kings bought Ben Stokes in the star auction by spending a lot of money. The team has spent more than 16 crore rupees for stocks. But what happened later? Stokes was put in to bat at number three but was ruled out due to injury. When he came back after recovering from his injury, the Chennai team management realized the fact that he would not fit in the team’ – said Chopra.
Chopra also pointed out that New Zealand player Devon Conway, England player Moeen Ali and Sri Lankan player Mahesh Thiksana are indispensable players in the Chennai line-up.
“Devon Conway as a leading batsman, Moeen Ali as an all-rounder to strengthen the middle order, Mahish Thikskna as there was no other spinner apart from Jadeja when he was not bowling much… these were an integral part of the Chennai team. ” – said Chopra.
‘The Chennai team had some problems with death bowling right from the start. It was in this situation that Chennai were forced to include a foreign player in this category. That’s how Matisha Pathirana, Dwayne Pretorius and Sisanda Magala were tested. Later he became a permanent member of the Pathirana team’ – noted Chopra.
English Summary: “You realized it doesn’t fit in your scheme of things” – Aakash Chopra on Ben Stokes’ role for CSK in IPL 2023
