Modern-day spin bowling great Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings will make a bid for veteran World Cup-winning all-rounder Ben Stokes in the upcoming Indian Premier League auction. For the 2023 mini-auction, to be held in Kochi on December 23, the current England Test captain has set his base price at Rs.2 Crore.
Rajasthan Royals last paid Rs.12.5 Crore for Stokes in 2018, although he hasn’t participated in the Premier League in the past two years. Due to a knee injury, the Englishman withdrew from the 2021 season and did not sign up for the 2022 tournament.
The all-rounder has participated in 43 IPL games thus far, during which time he has amassed 920 runs and bagged 28 wickets.
“Lucknow Super Giants will definitely go for Ben Stokes. Only if they don’t get him, they will go for other players. With a number of sides such as Sunrisers Hyderabad having a huge purse, I won’t be surprised if the high-demand players, like Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, and Cameron Green even breach the Rs.20 Crore price tag,”
Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Ashwin believes that the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings may make a move for West Indian Nicholas Pooran as a second option for wicket-keeping. The seasoned off-break bowler said that would be the case if they were unable to purchase any of the all-rounders from Stokes, Sam Curran or Cameron Green.
Pooran has enrolled himself in the IPL auction after being released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had acquired his services in this year’s mega auction for a whopping Rs.10.75 Crore. After an underwhelming performance last season, the 2016 champions have released a number of big-money signings, including skipper Kane Williamson and Pooran.
“I feel as a second keeper, an explosive left-hander, I know he didn’t play well last year but I feel he will go for a good price, Nicholas Pooran. His resale value will be really high.
Even CSK might also go for him because CSK will go for Sam Curran from the Marquee list. They won’t get him. They will go all-out on Ben Stokes as well. They won’t get him as well. They will also go for Cameron Green.”
Ashwin said.
