Being constantly exposed to Indian conditions in IPL will benefit England: Stokes

Mumbai, Apr 01 (PTI): The increased participation of English players in the IPL, where there is constant pressure to perform, will benefit them during the T20 World Cup to be held in India later this year, reckons star all-rounder Ben Stokes. Over the years more and more English players have chosen to take part in the lucrative league. This year, there are 14 England cricketers contracted to play IPL, including white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan Jos Buttler, Stokes, Johnny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone and Dawid Malan. “Yes – the percentage of English players in the IPL has probably grown in the last five or so years,” Stokes, who will turn up for the Rajasthan Royals, told ‘Sky Sports’. “Not only is that great for the individual but it is also great for the players involved in the England set-up; it gives them experience in the most high-profile competition in the world but not only that – you are under constant pressure to perform,” the imposing all-rounder added.
India is set to host the T20 World Cup later this year and Stokes feels it is the perfect opportunity for English players, who were a part of the recently-concluded tour of India, to get more familiar with the Indian conditions.
“You’ve got billions of people watching you and you’ve got the pressure of the franchise on you.
“Being constantly exposed to that is a huge benefit to us as a team, especially with the T20 World Cup coming up at the end of the year in India; it’s a great chance for the English guys to get more experience in these conditions,” Stokes said.
After being held in the United Arab Emirates last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPL returns to India and Stokes hopes fans would be allowed back in the stadiums soon.
“It’s great for the competition that it’s come back to its roots after taking place in Dubai last year, which was an achievement in itself.