Ben Stokes has returned home ahead of England’s one-off Test against Ireland starting June 1. The England Test captain will not play in the playoffs for Chennai Super Kings. He will miss GT vs CSK Qualifier 1 in Chennai as well as Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad. Bought for Rs 16.25 Cr, Stokes has played just 2 games for CSK this season. But as he has not featured in the last 12 games, he is going to take a 20% pay cut. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Stokes has struggled with fitness throughout the season. He came to IPL 2023 with a knee injury that prevented him from bowling. While he did feature in the first two games, his performance was underwhelming. He scored 7 & 8 with the bat and bowled only 1 over in exchange for 18 runs.
While he was fit to bat, as a precaution due to Ashes 2023, England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prevented him from bowling due to a bad knee. As CSK wanted an all-rounder, Stokes was never considered for the Playing XI.
“Ben’s ability to bowl overs at the moment is still a bit of a challenge, but he’s there as that batting cover. But with Moeen bowling well in good conditions, we we think the balance of the side has been right,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming told ESPNcricinfo.
Will Ben Stokes take pay cut?
There has been a provision in players’ contracts that if a player does not feature in the Playing XI, there can be a pay cut of 20% at pro rata basis.
As Stokes received a hefty Rs 16.25 Cr contract, his match fee comes down to Rs 1.16 Cr in 14 games he was part of. Since he played first two games, he will receive full payment for those two games. But for the next 12 games, he could get a pay cut. Stokes may have to forfeit 20% of the match fee on pro rata basis.
Since Stokes earns Rs 1.16 Cr per match, he will take a pay cut of Rs 23.20 lakh per game or Rs 2.78 Cr for the season.
However, Ben Stokes isn’t the only one to take a pay cut. His compatriot Mark Wood who has not returned to IPL since going back home for birth of his son in April, he will also take a pay cut. Wood was sold to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 7.5 crore last season. Wood only featured in 5 games before returning home.
As he is also playing the one-off Test against Ireland, he will stay back home. Wood will also take a 20% pay cut on a pro-rata basis.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Editors pick
