Will do well without Stokes, Tahir, says Rahane

Rising Pune Supergiant's Imran Tahir celebrates with his teammates during the match against Gujarat Lions

As if Imran Tahir’s loss wasn’t a jolt for Rising Pune Supergiant, the team will be without all-rounder Ben Stokes for the playoffs.

The England all-rounder followed the South African leggie in joining his national team and will not feature in the remainder of the tournament.

Ajinkya Rahane hoped that the team would cope well with the absence of both players who have played a vital role in Pune turning last year’s tide around and finishing this season’s league stage in second position.

“We will definitely miss Stokes because he has done really well for us in batting, bowling and fielding. But we have got a few internationals who are experienced and have done well in this format,” Rahane said.

“Lockie Ferguson has done well in the one game he played and Usman Khawaja is here. We are not sure who we’ll play once Stokes is gone.

“But all Indian players are doing well. We are not thinking about missing them.

“They (Stokes and Tahir) both are our main players but am sure we’ll do well without them in the playoffs.”