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England’s red-ball captain, Ben Stokes, is poised for a major switch as reports suggest he’s close to signing with MI Cape Town for the upcoming season of the South African T20 league, SA20.
According to The Telegraph, the Mumbai Indians-owned franchise has tabled a lucrative offer of £800,000 (approximately ₹8.5 crore) to secure the services of the explosive all-rounder. While Stokes has recently stepped back from white-ball cricket for England, prioritizing his Test bowling workload, this hefty deal seems likely to tempt him out of retirement for the 2025 SA20 season.
This move would mark Stokes’ first foray into the MI franchise, although he’s a familiar face in the IPL, having played for Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Chennai Super Kings in the past.
MI Cape Town, which finished at the bottom of the points table in the 2024 season, is clearly looking to bolster its squad with Stokes’ invaluable all-round abilities. His inclusion would further strengthen a team that already boasts star players like Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Jofra Archer (who have represented them in previous seasons).
The hefty price tag reflects Stokes’ immense value in franchise cricket. His explosive batting, combined with his potent swing bowling, makes him a true match-winner. While this move signifies his continued focus on T20 leagues outside of international commitments, it also means he’ll likely miss England’s five-match T20I series in India scheduled for the same period (January-February 2025).
Cricket fans will be eager to see Stokes don the MI Cape Town colors and witness his impact on the upcoming SA20 season.
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