"No hiding behind the fact that I'm at the back end of my career" - Ben Stokes reveals reason behind skipping IPL 2025 auction
England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he skipped the IPL 2025 auction to prolong his international career, acknowledging that he might not have a lot of years left in him. The seam-bowling all-rounder also stated that there is plenty of cricket in a calendar year.
Stokes last appeared in the IPL in 2023 for the Chennai Super Kings but was not available for large parts of the season due to a lingering knee injury. The left-handed batter also skipped the 2024 auction in a bid to keep himself injury-free ahead of the home season.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Stokes pointed out that he has already signed up to make an appearance in the SA20 league early next year and that it's about keeping England on top of his priorities. The 33-year-old remarked:
[There is] just so much cricket. There's no hiding behind the fact that I'm at the back end of my career. I obviously want to play as long as I possibly can. Looking after my body and looking after myself as much as I can is key to that. [It is about] prioritising games and when I do play - obviously I'm in South Africa this year - so it's about looking at what I've got ahead and making the decision that I think is right for me to be able to prolong my career as long as possible. I want to wear this England shirt for as long as I can."
The Durham all-rounder had suffered a hamstring strain during The Hundred 2024. This prevented his participation in the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, followed by the first of the three matches during the subsequent Pakistan tour.
"The World Test Championship is a bit confusing" - Ben Stokes
Stokes also stated that he has hardly ever paid any attention to the World Test Championship (WTC) or reaching the final, suggesting that good performances on a long-term basis will take care of the final spot. He elaborated:
"The World Test Championship is a bit confusing. I don't look at it. Over a long period of time, if you're playing really good cricket, you're getting results that you want, you'll end up finding yourself in the final and in the mix."
"For me and this team it's about taking it game by game, series by series, and if you end up finding yourself in the position where you happen to be in the final, then it's great. I can't really ever remember if I've ever given any real time specifically to thinking about the World Test Championship."
Despite a 3-0 win over New Zealand in the Test series, England are likely to miss out on playing in the WTC final next year.