Ben Stokes IPL Profile

One of the most explosive all-rounders of the modern era, Ben Stokes is an England international who plays for Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League. Stokes, who was born on June 4th, 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand, relocated to England at the age of 12. He is an aggressive left-hander with a tendency for big hits and the ability to play huge innings. 

Stokes is also proficient with the ball. Bowling at a reasonably high pace, he has a knack for producing breakthroughs when nothing else seems to be working for his side. From making his one-day domestic debut against Surrey in 2009 to helping his nation win their first World Cup in 2019, Stokes's journey in English football has been nothing but extraordinary. 

At The Oval in 2009, Stokes made his domestic one-day debut for Durham. He was also chosen for the Under-19 World Cup in 2009. After gradually making progress through the lower ranks, he finally got his Three Lions breakthrough in a One Day International (ODI) against Ireland in August 2011. Since then he has been a part of the England cricket team in all formats of the game.

Few cricket players have experienced the highs and lows like Stokes. The English all-rounder was on the brink of helping his nation win their second T20 World Cup in 2016 only for West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite to hit four consecutive sixes off his bowling and clinch the trophy for the West Indies. But Stokes overcame the distraught and produced one of his best seasons in 2017. His impressive performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy saw him named a part of the ‘Team of the Tournament’. He was included in the ICC's 2017 and 2018 World ODI XI for his efforts.

The next World Cup in 2019 proved to be his redemption point. Particularly in the final, Stokes was essential in helping England win the title against New Zealand at Lord's. He scored 84 not out as the match ended in a tie. England secured win in the Super over with an advantage on the boundary count rule.

Stokes has been pretty influential in Indian Premier League as well. He started his IPL journey in 2017 with Rising Pune Supergiants (now defunct) who bought him for Rs 14.5 crore. He repaid the faith with three men of match medals alongside a century in that season. 

In 2018, Rajasthan Royals made him the most expensive player in the auction, snapping him for Rs 12.5 crores. Stokes produced a remarkable 107 not-out innings in 2020. 

However, Stokes played only one game in the 2021 IPL and ruled himself out of the competition in 2022 to focus more on his country's Test team. He is a part of IPL 2023 once again after Chennai Super Kings signed him in the auction for a massive Rs 16.25 Crore.