In the first CSK practise session before the 2023 IPL, Ben Stokes bangs off some massive sixes

With his outstanding training session, Stokes, who CSK purchased for INR 16.25 crore at the mini auction in December, issued a foreboding warning.

Ben Stokes, an all-rounder for England, attended the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp at the Chepuak Stadium on Friday to take part in his first-ever practise session with the team as he started getting ready for the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). And Stokes, who CSK purchased at the mini auction last December for INR 16.25 crore, issued a foreboding warning with his impressive training session.

Stokes began his practise session in the evening after arriving in Chennai early on Friday. According to the videos that went viral on social media, it was an open-net session on the centre pitch where Stokes was seen smashing two enormous sixes: one off a right-arm pacer that went straight over and high over the bowler’s head, and the other off a throwdown that went over the long off fence.

A few weeks ago, the Chennai Super Kings started their preseason workouts for the 16th IPL season. The camp included players including skipper MS Dhoni. The CSK would want to recover from the terrible 2022 season, where they had placed ninth in the table with four victories in 14 matches, and add a fifth trophy to their trophy case with the likes of Stokes arriving and the anticipated return of Deepak Chahar.