England Test skipper Ben Stokes is set to leave IPL early to lead his side in the one-off Ireland Test and prepare for the Ashes series. The IPL final is set to be played on May 28, four days before the one-off Ireland Test at Lord’s on June 1, while the marquee Ashes series against Australia will begin on June 16.

Stokes, who missed the last two editions of the cash-rich league due to various reasons, was bought by four-time champions Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs 16.25 crore in IPL auction in December. Stokes said he will be back in England to prepare for the busy English summer even if CSK reach the final stages of the IPL. When asked if he’ll play the Ireland Test, Stokes said “Yes, I’ll play.”