R Ashwin predicts which team would be most interested in buying Ben Stokes at Indian T20 League auction
The ten teams of the Indian T20 League have already started their calculations for the upcoming auction. The auction is set to be held on December 23, 2022, in Kochi. For the auction, 900+ players have registered their names and a few internationals have already garnered the interest of all franchises.
Amongst the 900+ players, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, and Cameron Green are the three internationals who would command a premium from the franchises.
Ben Stokes and Sam Curran played a pivotal role in England’s ICC T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. The all-round capabilities of the players would create excitement among the franchises.
Talking about the auction, Ravichandran Ashwin predicted which franchises would be interesting to buying English all-rounder’s services.
“Lucknow outfit will definitely go for Ben Stokes. Only if they don’t get him, they will go for other players”, he said.
Talking about other players, Sam Curran and Cameron Green, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted that there are potential bidders to ignite the bidding war. He singled out the Chennai based franchise, who would go for them.
“Even Chennai outfit might also go for him because Chennai franchise 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”
There were several players who disappointed their franchises after they acquired them for a premium fee last year and one such player was Nicholas Pooran. He was signed for Rs 10.75 crore and the Hyderabad franchise has let him go ahead of the auction.
However, the Rajasthan player, Ravi Ashwin said that he has a higher resale value. The reason behind his higher resale value is his explosiveness in the middle order. Pooran also brings variation with left handed batting as well.
“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”
