Rajasthan Royals Ben Stokes has been ruled out of IPL 2021 due to injury. The all-rounder sustained the injury on his little finger during the Royals’ opening game, against the Punjab Kings.
Rajasthan Royals took to Twitter to announce the news. “Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ben Stokes injured a finger on his left hand while fielding during the team’s match against Punjab Kings on 12 April 2021 in Mumbai. Subsequent investigations revealed that he sustained a broken finger, which will, unfortunately, rule him out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League 2021 season,” Rajasthan Royals said in an official statement.
The injury also puts a question mark over Stokes’ commitments for England. The team is set to play a two-Test series against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on June 2.
The Royals are also hopeful of Jofra Archer’s swift return to the squad. The pacer underwent surgery to remove a glass fragment from a tendon on his right hand. He has been cleared to resume light training. But no confirmation of the same is out as yet.
Ben Stokes might be replaced by one of these five top picks. They are, Alex Hales (England), Aaron Finch (Australia), Marnus Labuschagne (Australia), Devon Conway (New Zealand), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka).
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