Have to prepare as though IPL will kick-off on April 20 despite COVID-19, says Ben Stokes

The novel coronavirus has claimed at least 21,000 lives and infected more than 470,000 people worldwide. All sporting events for the immediate future — including the Tokyo Olympics — have been called off or postponed indefinitely. The cash-rich IPL, however, is yet to be written off completely by the officials — and by players as well, it seems. As one of the 13 English players in one of the IPL squads, Stokes has confirmed that his next competitive bout will be the T20 league in India. 

"At the moment my next competitive cricket is going to be in the IPL. That hasn't changed yet so I have to think I will be playing on April 20. I have to get my head around that I am playing even though in the back of my mind I know I am probably not. I have to build up and get myself physically in a position that if it does happen I am good to go," Stokes told BBC.

One of the biggest worries for those in the higher-ups of the IPL was the question of foreign players choosing to skip the tournament altogether. But now, as Stokes becomes the second Englishman after KKR’s new recruit Tom Banton to confirm his availability, things are looking better for the organizers. 

"I cannot take three weeks off and expect the body to be ready for April 20 because it doesn't work like that. It might happen and if it does I don't want to be behind. There will be a lot of advice given to us and if it was an option to go we will have to take the sensible one,” Stokes added.