England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes is reportedly considering stepping away from IPL 2025 and may skip the upcoming mega auction. According to recent reports, English all-rounder Ben Stokes is not satisfied with the new rules and regulations introduced by the BCCI. Besides this Stokes might take this decision due to his commitments with the England cricket team where he will be busy with a packed schedule in the upcoming months. Notably, Stokes played his last IPL season for Chennai Super Kings in 2023 but withdrew from the 2024 season.
The English red-ball captain is now set to miss the best franchise league in the shortest format.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently introduced a new rule that has influenced Stokes’ decision to step back from this league. The new regulation states that any player who withdraws after being bought in the auction will face a two-season ban from participating in the IPL. This change aims to prevent disruptions for franchises, that have previously faced setbacks due to last-minute player withdrawals. That’s why the England captain has not agreed to be part of the IPL auction. Interestingly, if he opts out of the upcoming season, he will be ineligible to play for the next two seasons, which is a significant concern for him.
🚨 NO BEN STOKES IN IPL 2025. 🚨
– Ben Stokes is planning to skip IPL 2025 to prioritise the England team. (Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/kyXrEXYv5O
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2024
Stokes has an outstanding IPL record, showcasing his versatility as an all-rounder. Over his 45 matches in the tournament, he has scored 935 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries. On the bowling side, he has taken 28 wickets, with a best performance of 3/15. His highest score in the IPL remains 107. Besides this, he has an exceptional ability to hit big sixes while batting at number six or seven. Therefore, if he were to enter the auction, many teams would be eager to acquire him for a huge amount.
While fans may be disappointed at the thought of his absence, Stokes’ commitment to England’s national duties could ultimately influence his decision. However, official confirmation is still pending. It remains to be seen whether he will choose to participate in the upcoming IPL season.