Reports: Ben Stokes opts out of IPL Auctions to stay fresh for England

After missing almost the entire of 2021 IPL, reports have suggested that English all-rounder Ben Stokes is contemplating to opt out of the IPL Auctions in February. The all-rounder was an integral part of the Rajasthan Royals setup before injuring his finger in the early stages of the 2021 season.

During the second half of the season, the all-rounder opted out with a mental health break before returning to action during England’s disastrous Ashes, where they lost 4-1. United Kingdom’s London’s Evening Standard reported that the all-rounder will sit out the 2022 edition of the tournament. 

"Stokes will sit out this year's tournament, which will feature 10 teams for the first time and be preceded by a mega-auction in which there are plenty of spaces to fill," London's Evening Standard reported.

"Stokes has had a tumultuous time over the last couple of years, with the death of his father Ged 13 months ago preceding a long break in 2021 to prioritise his mental health and fix a finger badly broken at the IPL," it wrote.

The report also suggested that the all-rounder is okay with the financial sacrifice in order to be mentally fresh for England’s series against West Indies before the long international summer in June. 

"Sitting out represents a significant financial sacrifice but should also allow him some time off to mentally refresh between England's tour of the Caribbean in March and the international summer in June," the paper reported.

(With inputs from PTI)