Ben Stokes not too disappointed at missing IPL playoffs

English all-rounder Ben Stokes arrived at the IPL 2017 with a big reputation to uphold. He was the most expensive at the player auctions this year and hence the expectations from Rising Pune Supergiant were going to reach sky high. As the things turned out to be, Stokes lived up to his name and reputation with utmost ease. Stokes plundered 316 runs in the season in the 12 matches that he played this year.

He averaged 31.60 with the bat and hit the ball at a strike rate of 142.98. Ben Stokes hit a belligerent ton in the season as well. To go with his batting, he even returned with 12 wickets to his credit this season.However, Stokes had to leave the team after the league stages since he had to join the national side for Champions Trophy preparations. Many people believed that Stokes should have played the playoffs too.

English cricketer Kevin Pietersen had also noted that it was a shame to see Stokes and Jos Buttler miss out on playing the playoffs. However, the English all-rounder seems to be unfazed with all this. Recently, as per the quotes in metro.co.uk, Ben Stokes remarked that the topic should not be elaborated at all since the deal was already done with the franchise. He added that playing for England has and will always be the priority.

“There was a lot of stuff around saying I should have been able to play but it was agreed from the start…that was as long as I was going to stay regardless of what happened. I don’t know, it’s timing. I still managed to play 14 games in the group stages. It was an amazing experience but I won’t be too disappointed that I wasn’t out there playing,” quoted Stokes.

England always the priority

“Playing for England is always the main priority in decisions like that, it was made very clear at the start of the tournament. The team and management of Pune were always aware of that, so I can’t really add too much,” he conceded further.