After Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Ben Stokes put himself up for auction for T20 league
The England cricketers have only white-ball cricket to play from now until the Champions Trophy in England in June, something that will work to their advantage. But before that, they also want to experience Indian Premier League, which has always clashed with their international calendar at home and hence not many top English cricketers have been able to take part in.
Opener Jason Roy has expressed his eagerness to play in IPL while Sam Billings is keen to have one more go at it after having played for Delhi Daredevils last year. One of the leading all-rounders Ben Stokes, fourth rank in Tests and ninth in ODIs, Ben Stokes is the latest Englishman to express his desire to play in the franchise cricket in India.
"I have put myself up for the auction," Stokes said here on Thursday before their practice session. "It is a good opportunity to experience a different competition. It was hard to get away from English summer and experience what it is like to play in these T20 leagues. This year's IPL is a chance not just for myself but to a few other English guys to go and experience what it is like and get a different side of T20 cricket rather than just in England. I’m looking forward to seeing if I get a chance."
The 25-year-old from Durham has only listened to his mates narrating experiences of T20 leagues the world over. "You end up playing against best players in the world although it is T20 cricket. Look at the guys who have played in franchise cricket in Australia and India, they have said it was really good and how much it helped them in terms of cricket, the guys they get to work with, not just the players but coaches as well. They have said they have become a better player. It will do a world of good," Stokes said.
Looking forward to the upcoming ODIs against India under a new captain Virat Kohli, who has been in terrific form, Stokes said, "We'll try our best to get him out. He has been in major form over the last year and a half. We try to not concentrate on the other team too much. We concentrate on what we do than overload ourselves on too much information on him."
Mahendra Singh Dhoni taking away the burden of captaincy is expected to play freely. That would mean bad news for England. But Stokes said, "From watching him, I don't think captaincy affected him much. He’s been a pretty cool and calm character," Stokes said.
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 "Cricket, India v/s England ODI, Ben Stokes, Indian Premier League ( IPL), Jason Roy, MS Dhoni, Sam Billings, Virat Kohli,")
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