KL Rahul’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), according to Ravichandran Ashwin, will undoubtedly make a bid for England all-rounder Ben Stokes.
Ben Stokes has set his starting bid for the IPL 2023 mini-auction at 2 crores.
Ravichandran Ashwin on Ben Stokes
Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian spinner, made a bold prediction on Ben Stokes‘ future in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. The English cricketer had a great season with both bat and bowl, scripting some of the Three Lions’ most memorable victories in recent times. He also stole the show in the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Without a doubt, numerous franchises would be interested in the 31-year-old in the upcoming IPL mini-auction on December 23 in Kochi. As a result, Ashwin believes the Lucknow Super Giants will be quite keen on signing the all-rounder. LSG have released Jason Holder ahead of the new season and thus have the funds to bid on him.
“Lucknow Super Giants will definitely go for Ben Stokes. Only if they don’t get him, they will go for other players,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin predicts that Sam Curran will be of great interest to his former team. The English all-rounder was outstanding in the just-finished T20 World Cup, taking the second-most wickets there. According to Ashwin, Curran will be the MS Dhoni-led team’s initial target, and if they are unsuccessful in obtaining him, Cameron Green and Stokes will be the next targets.
“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,” he added.
Additionally, Nicholas Pooran may be the target of CSK’s interest in the mini-auction, according to Ashwin. The southpaw is performing admirably in the present Abu Dhabi T10 League despite having a dismal season last year. Ashwin thinks his value will be really high this season as a result.
“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,” he further added.
