Ben Stokes, Woakes Will Miss England’s Ireland Series to Play IPL

They’re not the only ones.

File photo of Ben Stokes. (Photo: AP)

After fetching a record deal of Rs 14.5 crore at the IPL auction, England cricketer Ben Stokes has decided to skip his national team’s two-match ODI series against Ireland to make himself available for all of Rising Pune Supergiants 14 league matches.

Mumbai Indians' Jos Buttler and Kolkata Knight Riders' Chris Woakes will also be available for entire league stage and will only return post May 14, according to a report in Cricinfo.

However white ball captain Eoin Morgan (KXIP), Jason Roy (Gujarat Lions) and Sam Billings (Delhi Daredevils) will be returning after the April matches get over.

Pacer Tymal Mills, who got Rs 12 crore from RCB will be available for the entire duration of the tournament.