Shane Warne says good start key for Ben Stokes in IPL
Thursday 6 April 2017 09:17, UK
Shane Warne says Ben Stokes can release the pressure of being the Indian Premier League's costliest overseas player with a good start on Thursday.
Stokes is due to line up for the Rising Pune Supergiants for the first time since they forked out £1.7m for his services earlier this year.
No player in this year's auction cost more than the England all-rounder, whose first assignment is a home game against Mumbai Indians.
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Speaking as the 2017 IPL began on Wednesday Warne, who captained Rajasthan Royals to the trophy in 2008, told Sky Sports News HQ: "Good luck to the players, and it's great they're now earning this sort of money.
"There's no other sport in the world where in a six-week period you could earn that sort of money so it encourages people to get involved in cricket.
"With that comes expectation, and Ben Stokes will feel the pressure a little bit, but we know what a quality person and quality player he is.
"I think the first few games are really important. If he can get off to a good start expectations will die down. If he has a bad start suddenly that pressure will build."
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