Ben Stokes fires IPL v England debate with searing all-round T20 form | Andy Bull


Stunning performances with bat and ball for Rising Pune Supergiant are signs of a player flourishing in a domestic scene stronger than some international matches

Jignesh runs a bottle shop off the Caledonian Road, a short walk north of King’s Cross. He keeps a TV by the till, to kill time between customers. It only ever seems to be tuned to one of two things: Indian soap operas and Indian cricket. He talks about the sport as much as English people do the weather. If there’s a game going, he will have the IPL on. So at this time of year the commentators are always chatting away, part of the backing track to his little corner of the city, along with the burble of conversation from the pub over the road and the bell that rings whenever someone opens his door. His cricket season runs from April to May, and has nothing to do with what’s going on around the county grounds.

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