Reports: Ben Stokes to join Rajasthan Royals in the first week of October

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) started with their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign on a good note defeating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs. Jos Buttler missed the opening game due to his extended quarantine and is set to play the next game. Ahead of their second match, the team has got another good news as their star all-rounder Ben Stokes is set to reach the UAE in the first week of October.

Stokes has been away from the sport for a decent period of time now. He missed the last two Tests against Pakistan and a whole white-ball series against Australia at home to be with his ailing father in New Zealand. There were doubts over his participation in the IPL as well and the Royals franchise was keeping a keen eye on the developments.

Ben Stokes had started training in New Zealand as well and even his England and RR teammate Jos Buttler had stated earlier that he will join the team soon. And now the reports in Gulf News suggest that the England all-rounder is set to reach the UAE early in the October.

Ben Stokes will have to be quarantined for six days

Earlier there were reports of him missing the first half of the IPL. But now it is clear that Ben Stokes might don the RR jersey in the second week of October itself depending on when he reaches UAE. He will have to get quarantined for around six days and return two COVID-19 tests negative to enter the bubble.

Meanwhile, it will be a happy headache for the RR team management in terms of managing their four overseas players in the XI once Stokes arrives. In their first game, Steve Smith, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer and David Miller featured and with Buttler set to return for the next outing, one of Curran or Miller will have to sit out.

It will be interesting to see who makes way once Ben Stokes joins the team and the all-rounder’s presence in the team will also lend balance to the Royals.