Ben Stokes dedicates his IPL knock of 107 to his ill father Jed as Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ben Stokes dedicated his matchwinning display against the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League on Sunday to his father Jed – who is battling cancer back in New Zealand.

In August, the England star revealed that his dad had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

The 29-year-old hit an unbeaten 107 for the Royals as they won by eight wickets against table toppers Mumbai at the weekend.

Stokes disclosed after the match that he hopes his performance gives his father a bit of happiness.

‘I take a bit of solace that back home, where things are a bit rough, hopefully that gives him a bit of happiness,’ he said.

Stokes’ 152-run partnership with Sanju Samson helped the Royals reach their target of 196 with 10 balls spare.

Going into the match he had struggled to find his form so far in the IPL however, he came into this game with more confidence after an improvement in training.

‘I had my best net yesterday and came into this game with more confidence,’ he added.

‘I wish I could have played like this two or three games ago.’

The win lifts the Royals off the foot of the table to sixth, just two points of the play-offs. Rajasthan face the Kings XI Punjab on Friday next with both teams currently on 10 points and bidding to sneak into the play-offs.

Despite defeat the Mumbai Indians will be preparing for the play-offs, as they sit top of the IPL on 14 points – level with the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.