According to reports from The Telegraph, England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes is poised to join the MI Cape Town franchise for the upcoming season of the South African T20 league (SA20). The reports suggest a lucrative deal worth a staggering £800,000 (approximately ₹8.6 crore) has been offered to Stokes to secure his participation in the 2025 season.
This news comes after Stokes prioritized red-ball cricket for England, opting out of the recent IPL 2024 season and the T20 World Cup to focus on his bowling in Test matches. However, his all-around capabilities and star power remain a huge draw in the world of franchise cricket, making him a valuable asset for any team.
If Stokes signs the deal, he is expected to join a star-studded MI Cape Town team that has previously seen players like Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Jofra Archer don their colors. Stokes would also likely miss England’s five-match T20I series in India scheduled for around the same time as the SA20 (January 9th to February 8th, 2025).