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Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket has brought the curtain down on one of the finest careers in modern cricket. The England all-rounder confirmed that his ongoing Test against New Zealand would be his last international appearance, ending a 15-year journey with England.
While Ben Stokes' exploits for England will define his legacy, he also left a significant mark on the Indian Premier League despite featuring in only 45 matches across seven seasons. From winning the Most Valuable Player award in his debut IPL season to his brief stint with Chennai Super Kings, Stokes' IPL story has been filled with memorable moments, injuries, and long absences.
A dream start with Rising Pune Supergiant
Ben Stokes entered the IPL in 2017 when Rising Pune Supergiant secured his services ahead of the season. The move immediately paid dividends.
The England star enjoyed one of the best debut seasons by an overseas all-rounder in IPL history. Playing 12 matches, he scored 316 runs at a strike rate of 142.98 and also picked up 12 wickets.
His standout moment came against Gujarat Lions when he smashed an unbeaten 103 off just 63 balls, registering his maiden T20 century. He finished the season as the IPL 2017 Most Valuable Player, establishing himself as one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket.
Rajasthan Royals years and the famous century
Rajasthan Royals broke the bank to sign Stokes ahead of IPL 2018, making him one of the most expensive players in that auction.
His first season with the franchise was modest by his standards, but he remained an important member of the side. Across the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, he contributed with both bat and ball while continuing to provide balance as a genuine all-rounder.
His finest IPL knock came in the 2020 season when he hammered an unbeaten 107 against Mumbai Indians. Ben Stokes shared a match-winning 152-run partnership with Sanju Samson that remains one of Rajasthan Royals' most memorable stands. That season saw him score 285 runs in eight matches at an average above 40 and a strike rate of 142.50.
Injury setbacks and an inconsistent IPL run
Just when it appeared Ben Stokes had settled into a long IPL career, injuries and international commitments began to limit his participation.
A finger injury ruled him out after playing only one match in IPL 2021. He then opted out of IPL 2022 to focus on England's Test cricket commitments as he prepared for life as captain.
By that stage, managing workload had become a recurring theme in Ben Stokes' career, especially given his importance to England across formats.
The Chennai Super Kings chapter
Chennai Super Kings invested INR 16.25 crore to bring Stokes into their squad for IPL 2023. The move generated huge excitement, with many expecting him to become a key figure under MS Dhoni. However, things never really clicked.
A knee injury restricted his role throughout the tournament. He played only two matches, scoring 15 runs and bowling just one over without taking a wicket.
Ben Stokes later left the CSK camp before the playoffs as part of a pre-planned arrangement to prepare for England's Test summer. Despite Chennai eventually winning the title, he had little opportunity to influence their campaign.
Why Ben Stokes skipped IPL 2024 and IPL 2025?
Stokes did not participate in IPL 2024 and IPL 2025. The England captain chose to prioritise Test cricket, manage his physical workload, and extend his playing career. He was also absent from the IPL 2025 mega auction pool, making it clear that international commitments remained his priority at the time.
Those decisions meant his IPL career effectively remained frozen at 45 matches, 935 runs, two centuries, 28 wickets, and a strike rate of 133.95.
Will Ben Stokes return to IPL?
That question has gained fresh attention following his retirement from international cricket. Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Stokes confirmed that he has no plans to stop playing cricket altogether.
"Yes, I am... [I will be] going back and playing a little bit of county cricket and other opportunities that there is at the moment," he said.
Those comments leave the door open for franchise cricket in the future. Ben Stokes has already confirmed he will continue playing for Durham, while opportunities in leagues around the world could now become more realistic without the demands of international cricket.
Nothing has been confirmed regarding a return to the IPL, but for the first time in several years, the possibility appears more realistic than before.
A short IPL career that still produced memorable moments
Ben Stokes' IPL numbers may not match some of the league's longest-serving overseas stars, but his impact was undeniable.
The unbeaten century for Rising Pune Supergiant, the MVP-winning debut season, and his match-winning hundred for Rajasthan Royals remain standout moments. Injuries and England commitments prevented him from building a longer IPL legacy, but whenever he was available, he remained one of the competition's most influential all-rounders.
Now retired from international cricket, Stokes finally has the freedom to consider opportunities that previously had to take a back seat. Whether that includes one final IPL chapter remains a story worth watching over the next few auction cycles.
