The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) concluded earlier this week. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged as the champions after they outclassed Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans (GT) in the summit clash.
Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, it was Chennai’s fifth title in the tournament. Dhoni managed his resources quite well despite the injury crises in the camp. CSK bought star England all-rounder Ben Stokes for 16.25 crore but he could play only two matches in IPL 2023. He last featured against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in April before returning home for the Ireland Test and the upcoming Ashes series against Australia. The 31-year-old could score just 15 runs and failed to take any wickets.
Despite not serving enough for the Chennai-based franchise, Stokes continued to support his team in whatever way possible. On the day of the finals, Stokes posted a pic of himself on Instagram where he watched CSK’s inspiring victory against GT on his phone in the bar of the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.
Stokes is the captain of English side for the one-off test against Ireland. Ahead of the match, Stokes spoke about CSK’s fifth title win and his contribution to the same. Talking about his experience in the 16th edition of the tournament, Stokes compared his role in Chennai to that of football legend John Terry. Stokes referred to former England football team skipper Terry who lifted the Champions League trophy in 2012 despite being banned from playing the final.
“I played a little bit of a John Terry role winning the IPL,” the allrounder joked during press commitments.
The English Test captain further said he wanted to be involved on the field for CSK in IPL 2023 and revealed how he turned the disappointing situation into the positive one.
“I think I would much rather have been playing, I’ve then seen that as an opportunity to train as opposed to playing and then topping yourself up as the tournament goes along. Once you get into the tournament it’s like play, travel, all that kind of stuff. So, I was actually able to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one because I was able to concentrate on properly being able to train, whether that be technical stuff with the bat or fitness stuff, stuff in the gym and being able to concentrate on something else,” Stokes added.
Stokes also admitted that, despite playing only two games in the season, he used the opportunity to train himself for the long English summer ahead. He reckoned that whatever time he had with CSK was a “blessing in disguise.”
Stokes concluded saying, “I’ve then seen that as an opportunity to train as opposed to playing and then topping yourself up as the tournament goes along. Once you get into the tournament it’s like play, travel, all that kind of stuff. So, I was actually able to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one because I was able to concentrate on properly being able to train.”
