Team Rajasthan have been dealt with a major blow as their star all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian T20 League 2021 season with a suspected fractured hand.
According to the Independent, Stokes suffered the injury while attempting a diving catch during his team’s tournament opener against Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium on April 12. While he was successful in his attempt, that came at a cost of a fracture.
The aforementioned source states that the all-rounder was feeling a little discomfort in his left index finger soon after the catch. And although he continued to be a part of the match, he did not bowl after the incident. He also opened the batting for Rajasthan alongside Manan Vohra, but was dismissed on a duck.
The source also claims that Stokes will continue to remain in India for a week and will have an X-Ray on Thursday, after already having one on Tuesday, to know the extent of his injury. Once enough details are gathered, the England Cricket Board will take over the planning of his recovery. The ECB has already confirmed that their medical and UK hand specialist consultant have already looked into the matter.
Stokes’ absence will leave a huge void in Rajasthan’s squad considering the form he was in. He did fail to do anything positive with the bat in the first game, but that was largely down to the injury he was carrying.
Team Rajasthan are already coping with an injury to their start pacer Jofra Archer. The fast bowler was recently cleared to resume light training following surgery to remove a glass fragment from a tendon on his right hand.
"Archer has been given the all-clear by his hand consultant to resume training after his right hand continues to heal following his operation," ECB said in a statement.
"He will return to light training this week, working closely with the Sussex and England men's medical teams. It's hoped that he will be able to up his intensity with his bowling from next week.
"No decision has been made as yet on when Archer is due to return to playing."
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Money Sharma
