IPL 2021: Ben Stokes unlikely to participate in the UAE leg

England and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ben Stokes is unlikely to take part in the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2021. Stokes had announced an indefinite break from cricket last month, intending to focus on his mental health. The all-rounder had spent considerable time away from family and in bio-secure environments with the England team.

Stokes was a part of the Royals set up in the first half of the IPL before he broke his finger in a fixture against Punjab Kings while fielding in the deep. Having been ruled out ever since from all cricketing action, he returned to lead England to a 3-0 ODI win over Pakistan after Covid-19 struck the home camp, ruling out four players including skipper Eoin Morgan. Stokes, however, did not participate in the T20I series that followed and revealed his decision soon after.

Supporting the premier players decision, England’s Managing Director, Ashley Giles said, “Ben has shown tremendous courage to open up about his feelings and wellbeing. “Our primary focus has always been and will continue to be the mental health and welfare of all of our people.”

“Spending significant amounts of time away from family, with minimal freedoms, is extremely challenging. The cumulative effect of operating almost continuously in these environments over the last 16 months has had a major impact on everyone’s wellbeing. Ben will be given as long as he needs, and we look forward to seeing him playing cricket for England in the future.”

Jos Buttler pulls out of second leg of IPL 2021

Apart from Stokes, the Royals will also miss Jos Buttler in their ranks, who has pulled out of the second leg of the IPL as he is expecting his second child during the same time period. Further, pacer Jofra Archer is also set to miss the UAE leg after his elbow injury has ruled him out until the Ashes later this year.

Meanwhile, the 14th edition of the league, which was postponed on May 4 through a unanimous decision taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council after a spate of Covid-19 cases emerged inside the bio-bubbles of four different teams across two cities, is set to resume in the UAE, where the 31 unfinished games will be played across three venues.