IPL 2022: Ben Stokes reportedly opts out of upcoming IPL Mega Auction;

”Stokes has had a tumultuous time over the last couple of years. With the death of his father Ged 13 months ago preceding a long break in 2021 to prioritise his mental health and fix a finger badly broken at the IPL,” it wrote.

Stokes was a member of the Rajasthan Royals squad in the 2021 edition. However he fractured his finger during the postponed first leg and was ruled out of the competition. Stokes did not return when the tournament began in September after the COVID-19-induced break.

”Sitting out represents a significant financial sacrifice. But should also allow him some time off to mentally refresh between England’s tour of the Caribbean in March and the international summer in June,” the paper reported.

Last summer, the ECB allowed England players who were playing in the IPL to miss the early-season Tests against New Zealand. It drew a lot of criticism because the rotation policy put in place, according to many, damaged the team’s composition.

IPL 2022 likely to take place in April, has been expanded to 74 matches. Because of the inclusion of new franchises Ahmedabad and Lucknow. The mega-auctions will take in February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru.