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Ben Stokes reveals the reason behind not registering for IPL auction
England's Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that his decision not to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction was influenced by his desire to prolong the latter stages of his career. Stokes stated that he is prioritising prolonging the twilight of his career. Stokes didn’t feature among 52 England players who registered for the IPL mega auction, which was held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. Due to all this, Stokes will not be able to play in the IPL until 2026.
"[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,” Stokes told BBC Sports.
According to latest rules, players, who have in the past featured in the IPL but did not register for the mega auction, will not be able to enter the subsequent mini-auction. Stokes has made conscious choices to ensure that he remains at his best for England. Last year too, Stokes opted out of the IPL 2024 due to workload.
"[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."
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