Stokes to skip England matches for IPL

England cricketer Ben Stokes, who fetched a record deal of Rs 14.5 crore deal at the IPL acutions, will skip his country's two-match ODI series against Ireland.

For, the richest UK cricketer will be available for the entire duration of 14 league matches of Rising Pune Supergiants.

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

Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills both believe that their lives have been changed overnight, after being signed for record-breaking fees by Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore respectively during a dramatic day's bidding at the IPL auction.

Stokes and Tymal Mills were snapped up for record sums of Rs 14.5 crore and Rs 12 crore by Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore respectively.

"It has been a pretty incredible week and, considering you normally have your most exciting times when you're playing, it's been an amazing and interesting few days," Stokes said.