Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a disappointing outing in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), needed to make some significant changes, particularly in personnel to turn it around in 2023, in what will probably be the final season of four-time winner MS Dhoni. Having released a few players, CSK got a sizeable purse and they pulled off the signing of the auction, getting Ben Stokes, one of the greatest cricketers in the world currently and England’s Test captain.
After missing the 2022 edition of the league to focus on rebuilding England’s Test side, Stokes registered for the auction this time around and CSK made him the joint-third most expensive player in IPL auction history. Stokes, who has played for Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals in the past, will reunite with MS Dhoni after 6 years and will play alongside Ravindra Jadeja, another top all-rounder in the world for the first time.
Stokes joined the side a couple of days ago in Chennai and has begun his training. Stokes has been sweating hard and spending time with his new teammates at CSK. Meanwhile, CSK shared a picture of Stokes with Jadeja and it has created a storm on social media. Seeing two of the world’s best all-rounders on the same team, in the same frame, the fans couldn’t stop themselves from reacting to it.
“It’s like having Ronaldo and Messi on the same team,” a user wrote. Another shared pictures of the RRR duo of fire and ice while saying that Jadeja-Stokes are well suited for the same.
Jadeja, who had a poor season in IPL 2022 due to a variety of reasons, would be eager to perform for CSK after being in such an outstanding touch following his return to international cricket. Jadeja, Stokes and Moeen Ali will form the middle-order core for CSK in IPL 2023 and the fans will hope that they can lead the franchise to their fifth title in Dhoni’s potential swansong.
