Stokes opted out of the lucrative T20 event on November 23rd in order to manage his workload and fitness.

Last year’s competition saw England hitter Root, 32, appear three times for Rajasthan Royals but bat only once.

“We respect his decision completely and wish him success in everything he does,” Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara said.

Yorkshire’s Root, who signed a three-year central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last month, played every game in India during the recent World Cup.

He is also expected to be a key member of England’s team for their five-Test tour of India, which begins on January 25 in Hyderabad.

Dates and locations for England’s visit to India in 2024
Rob Key, the ECB’s general director of men’s cricket, said ex-England captain Root deserved a “break” after being left out of the limited-overs team for next month’s series against the West Indies.

The Royals paid £100,000 for Root in the 2023 mini-auction, his maiden stay in the IPL, although he spent the majority of the tournament carrying the drinks.