Will Ben Stokes play in IPL after England retirement? Know here
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Ben Stokes announced his shocking retirement from international cricket on Sunday during the fourth day of the third Test match vs NZ.
Ben Stokes’ decision to step away from international cricket has brought an end to one of England‘s most successful modern careers. The all-rounder confirmed that his retirement from international cricket would come into effect after the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes‘ departure from international cricket raises questions about his future. In the 15 years of his career, he has been one of the most well-known players, having played with various franchises around the world.
One competition from which Stokes has been absent in recent seasons is the Indian Premier League (IPL). His last appearance in the IPL was in 2023 after being signed by Chennai Super Kings for INR 16.25 crore, but due to injuries, he was restricted to only one game that season.
Will Ben Stokes play Indian Premier League after England retirement?
Stokes has announced that he will continue to try and be an active cricketer in both county and franchise cricket after retiring from international cricket, fuelling speculation that he may make a return to the IPL.
The 35-year-old opted out of IPL 2024 to manage his workload and focus on England’s international commitments. Stokes then did not register for the IPL 2025 mega auction as he looked to prolong his international career and manage his body after a series of injury setbacks.
Under IPL regulations, any overseas player who skips a mega auction becomes ineligible to participate in the following auction cycle. As a result, Stokes’ decision to opt out of the IPL 2025 mega auction automatically ruled him out of IPL 2026 as well.
Stokes could return to the IPL ahead of the 2027 season, provided he registers for the auction and is available for the season.
Stokes’ pedigree as a true three-dimensional cricketer means that franchise teams are going to be undoubtedly interested in him, even though he hasn’t played in the tournament for several seasons now. Stokes has played in 45 IPL Games, scoring 935 runs, including two centuries, and taking 28 wickets. He was the Most Valuable Player for IPL 2017, playing for Rising Pune Supergiant.
Currently, there is no announcement of Stokes’s return to the IPL from an official source. However, following his retirement from international cricket, the possibility of seeing him back in the tournament from IPL 2027 onwards cannot be ruled out.
Has Ben Stokes retired from international cricket?
Yes. Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to his England career across formats.
Will Ben Stokes play in the IPL after retiring from international cricket?
Ben Stokes can return to the IPL if he registers for a future auction and makes himself available for the tournament.
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Anubha Anandita Pathak is a sports enthusiast with a strong passion for cricket and basketball, shaped by her experience as a district-level basketball and kabaddi player. A loyal Golden State Warriors supporter, she closely follows Stephen Curry’s style of play. With on-ground reporting experience covering the Indian Super League and Karnataka’s hockey circuit, Anubha brings both perspective and passion to her storytelling.