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Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket has brought to a close one of the finest careers in modern cricket. The England all-rounder confirmed that the ongoing Test against New Zealand will be his last international match, ending his 15-year career with England.
While Ben Stokes’ exploits for England will define his legacy, he also made a significant mark on the Indian Premier League despite appearing in only 45 matches over seven seasons. From winning the Most Valuable Player award in his first IPL season to his brief stint with Chennai Super Kings, Stokes’ IPL story has been full of memorable moments, injuries and long absences.
A dream start with Rising Pune Supergiant
Ben Stokes entered the IPL in 2017 when Rising Pune Supergiant secured his services ahead of the season. This step yielded immediate benefits.
The England star enjoyed the best debut season by an overseas all-rounder in IPL history. Playing 12 matches, he scored 316 runs at a strike rate of 142.98 and also took 12 wickets.
His standout moment came against Gujarat Lions when he scored 103 not out off just 63 balls, registering his maiden T20 century. He finished the season as the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2017, and established himself as one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket.
Years and famous centuries of Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals broke the bank to sign Stokes ahead of IPL 2018, making him one of the most expensive players in that auction.
His first season with the franchise was modest by his standards, but he remained an important member of the team. In the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, he contributed with both bat and ball, providing balance as a true all-rounder.
His best IPL innings came in the 2020 season when he scored an unbeaten 107 against Mumbai Indians. Ben Stokes made a match-winning 152-run partnership with Sanju Samson which is one of the most memorable stands of Rajasthan Royals. That season he scored 285 runs in eight matches at an average above 40 and a strike rate of 142.50.
Injury setbacks and an inconsistent IPL run
Just when it seemed that Ben Stokes had settled into a long IPL career, injuries and international commitments began to limit his participation.
He was ruled out of IPL 2021 after playing only one match due to a finger injury. He then opted out of IPL 2022 to focus on England’s Test cricket commitments as he prepared for life as captain.
By that stage, workload management had become a recurring theme in Ben Stokes’ career, especially given his importance to England across all formats.
chennai super kings chapter
Chennai Super Kings invested Rs 16.25 crore to bring Stokes into their team for IPL 2023. The move generated huge excitement, with many expecting him to become a key figure under MS Dhoni. However, things never really worked out.
A knee injury limited his role throughout the tournament. He played only two matches, scoring 15 runs and bowling just one over without taking any wickets.
Ben Stokes later left the CSK camp ahead of the playoffs as part of pre-planned arrangements to prepare for England’s Test summer. Despite Chennai eventually winning the title, he had little opportunity to impact their campaign.
Why did Ben Stokes skip IPL 2024 and IPL 2025?
Stokes did not participate in IPL 2024 and IPL 2025. The England captain decided to prioritize Test cricket, manage his physical workload and pursue his playing career. He was also absent from the IPL 2025 mega auction pool, making it clear that international commitments were his priority at that time.
Those decisions meant his IPL career effectively stood still at 45 matches, 935 runs, two centuries, 28 wickets and a strike rate of 133.95.
Will Ben Stokes return to IPL?
This question has attracted renewed attention after his retirement from international cricket. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Stokes confirmed that he has no plans to stop playing cricket completely.
“Yes I am… [I will be] Going back and playing a bit of county cricket and other opportunities that are available at the moment,” he said.
Those comments leave the door open for franchise cricket in the future. Ben Stokes has already confirmed that he will continue to play for Durham, while opportunities in leagues around the world may now be more realistic without the demands of international cricket.
Nothing has been confirmed yet regarding a return to the IPL, but for the first time in many years the possibility seems more realistic than before.
A short IPL career that still produced memorable moments
Ben Stokes’ IPL numbers may not match some of the league’s longest-serving overseas stars, but his impact was undeniable.
His unbeaten century for Rising Pune Supergiant, his MVP-winning debut season and his match-winning century for Rajasthan Royals are standout moments. Injuries and England commitments prevented him from building a long-term IPL legacy, but he remained one of the competition’s most impressive all-rounders whenever he was available.
Now retired from international cricket, Stokes finally has the freedom to contemplate opportunities he previously had to leave behind. Whether there is a final IPL chapter involved, this will remain a story worth watching over the next few auction cycles.