In what could be a huge blow to the Chennai Super Kings ahead of their crucial clash against the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL), one of their star all-rounders is reportedly doubtful for the match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
The player is one of their big-buck purchases at the auction before the start of the season in Ben Stokes. However, a report carried by Indian Express has claimed that Stokes experienced some pain in his heel post the practice session at the Wankhede Session on Friday due to which there has been doubts over his availability for the match later this evening.
The report further adds that while the medical team of the franchise were set to assess Stokes' condition on match-day afternoon, the England all-rounder might not risk playing as it could aggravate the injury. Stokes, who was roped in by the four-time winners for 16.25 crore, was part of the Playing XI for each of Chennai's first two matches and the team is dependant on him to deliver especially with the team's domestic talent not firing as of now other than Ruturaj Gaikwad.
It is being learnt that Stokes has been advised ten days of rest by the medical team.
Chennai's match against Mumbai will be played later this evening. The two teams are the most successful sides in the history of the competition with Mumbai having won four titles to their credit and Chennai having lifted the trophy four times. Their rivalry is among the most decorated ones in the history of the tournanent and is dubbed as is often dubbed as the El Clasico of the competition.
However, it is MI who have the edge in terms of the head-to-head record as they have won 20 matches of the 34 occasions that these two teams have met in the past.