Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out of action at least for up to 12 weeks after injuring his finger in the franchise's first game against the Punjab Kings. While the England star had earlier suggested that he would continue to be with the team despite being ruled out of the tournament, a press release by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that he will be heading home on Saturday. The official statement also admitted that Stokes has a fracture in his left index finger. The left-handed batsman is all set to undergo a surgery at Leeds on Monday.
Notably, the injury occurred while the New Zealand-born cricketer was fielding during the Punjab's innings. As he completed a catch to get rid of Chris Gayle, Stokes injured his left-finger. Although he later came out to open the innings, further diagnosis confirmed that he had a fracture. Following the news of Stokes leaving the franchise, there have been all kinds of reactions from the Twitterati.
Here are some of the best reactions: