Ben Stokes Skipped IPL Mega Auction 2025 To Prolong England Career – News18

Last Updated:November 27, 2024, 14:24 IST

Ben Stokes says he’s at the back-end of his playing career and he wants to represent England for as long as possible.

England Test captain Ben Stokes is prioritising playing for England fully aware that he’s in the final phase of his career. And if that means skipping the cash-rich IPL then so be it.

Stokes first entered the IPL auction in 2017 when Rising Pune Supergiant (now defunct) placed a winning bid of Rs 14.5 crore to secure the star allrounder’s services. He justified the price tag by winning player of the tournament award as RPSG finished runners-up.

Later, he also represented Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings

“(There is) just so much cricket,” Stokes told BBC Sport ahead of England’s first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. “There’s no hiding behind the fact that I’m at the back-end of my career. I obviously want to play as long as I possibly can. Looking after my body and looking after myself as much as I can is key to that.”

“(It’s about) prioritising games and when I do play – obviously I’m in South Africa this year – so it’s about looking at what I’ve got ahead and making the decision that I think is right for me to be able to prolong my career as long as possible. I want to wear this England shirt for as long as I can,” he added.

England are in New Zealand for a three-match Test series that starts from November 18. Stokes isn’t worried about the green-tinged pitch.

“If you saw that pitch in England, you’d be praying to God that you won the toss and could bowl first. It’s amazing in New Zealand. You can look at a wicket and it plays completely different to what it looks like. We’ll have to see how we go tomorrow, see what conditions we’re faced with as the game goes further, and if we need to adapt to anything we’ll try to do that,” he said.