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Watch: RR's Ben Stokes hits the stumps as he returns to training

Rajasthan Royals will play their first match against Chennai Super Kings on September 22. However, their star all-rounder Ben Stokes is yet to join the camp in the UAE.

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Published : Sep 18, 2020, 5:03 PM IST

Updated : Sep 25, 2020, 3:55 PM IST

Christchurch: Dashing England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is currently spending time with family in the country of his birth New Zealand, returned to the training ahead of Indian Premier League 2020 season and posted a video of himself bowling at the nets. Sharing the video, England's 2019 World Cup winning hero Stokes got nostalgic as Christchurch was the place where he learnt the basics of cricket.

In the video, Stokes can be seen bowling an accurate delivery that crashed onto the stumps after the batsman missed the line. "Been great being in Christchurch we're it all began for me. thanks to @sydenhamcricket for letting me use their facilities to bowl in..unlucky today @nick.smithson.7," Stokes wrote on Instagram.

Stokes had to leave the England camp in the middle of the Pakistan Test series in August, and he flew back to New Zealand where his father Ged Stokes was diagnosed with brain cancer.

After arriving in New Zealand, the 29-year-old all-rounder had to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine before he could meet his father.

According to media reports Stokes, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL, is most likely to miss the first half of the tournament which kick-starts in the UAE on September 19.

While there is uncertainty over Stokes' availability for this year's IPL, Rajasthan Royals head coach Andrew McDonald said that they are ready to give their star all-rounder "as much time as he needs" and respect his privacy.

Rajasthan Royals acquired Ben Stokes' service for £1.4m in 2018 IPL auction.

McDonald also said that he "doesn't want to second-guess what will happen with him" just yet and will make a call depending on how things pan out.

The 13th edition of IPL, which is a 53-day tournament, starts on September 19. The final will be played on November 10.

Rajasthan Royals will play their first match against Chennai Super Kings on September 22.

Last Updated : Sep 25, 2020, 3:55 PM IST

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