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XtraTime Web Desk: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals got a huge boost on Saturday as their star England all rounder is all set to join the franchise in UAE. Stokes, who was in Christchurch to attend his ailing father is set for an imminent return to cricket. The 29 year old all rounder is now ready to return to competitive cricket starting with the IPL as per reports in Daily Mirror.

Stokes left the bio-bubble during the England-Pakistan series to be by the side of his father Ged who is suffering from brain cancer.

Stokes has left for the UAE today saying: "Goodbyes never get any easier" and will join up with his Rajasthan Royals team-mates next week following seven days of isolation, required due to Covid 19.

Stokes is targeting the fixture against Delhi Capitals on October 14 to be his first match of the tournament giving him seven games to play before any potential play offs.

The Royals have won two of their first three matches of the campaign so far with England teammates Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Tom Curran all taking part.

Stokes was seen training at the Sydenham Cricket Club , where he started his cricket. He shared a video of his training session on his instagram handle with a caption that read, “Been great being in Christchurch where it all began for me. Thanks to @sydenhamcricket for letting me use their facilities to bowl in.”

He had to spend two weeks in quarantine on arriving in New Zealand from the UK, but since then he has been able to enjoy some important time with his dad who initially suffered a brain bleed in South Africa last December when he was on tour to watch his son play for England.