Doubts over Ben Stokes’ availability in IPL 2020 as he strains with father’s cancer treatment

England all-rounder Ben Stokes left the Test series against Pakistan midway to attend his ailing father, Ged, in New Zealand. The all-rounder was a key member of the Brits squad in the three-match Tests against West Indies, performing with both bat and ball. However, currently, he is going through a rough patch as his father has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

He wasn’t picked for the limited-overs series against Australia, starting Friday, September 4. It now remains to be seen when the 29-year-old makes his return to the national team. In the meantime, even as he’s away from international cricket, Stokes might not be available for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) where he plays for the Rajasthan Royals.

Ben Stokes had sleepless nights

No official conformation has come to the fore and Royals will be hoping for the situation to get better. If he doesn’t play, then RR will also have to find an apt replacement. Even when he was with his English teammates, Stokes wasn’t able to sleep due to concerns for his family and ailing father. Hence, he decided to see his family in New Zealand, his place of birth as well.

“I didn’t sleep for a week and my head wasn’t really in it. Leaving was the right choice from a mental point of view,” Stokes was quoted as saying to the Weekend Herald. Stokes is a dedicated cricketer and he wouldn’t want to be mentally absent while serving his nation on the field.

Stokes’ career has seen an incredible turnaround in the last couple of years. After the Bristol brawl case, he has developed himself into a responsible character. In the 2019 World Cup, he was one of the very reasons why England got their hands on the coveted trophy for the maiden instance. Even in the final against the Black Caps, he showed nerves of steel.

Then a couple of months later, he smashed a century against Australia in the Ashes, taking his team to victory at the Headingley, Leeds. As far as the IPL is concerned, he made his debut in 2017 for the Rising Pune Supergiant and has been with the Royals since the 2018 edition of the T20 league.