Xtra Time Web Desk: Four times former IPL champions Chennai Super Kings were successful in winning the bid for the England test captain Ben Stokes at a staggering price of 16.25 crores in the IPL 2023 Mini Auctions held in Kochi on Friday.
The World Cup-winning captain who missed IPL 2022 will now join MS Dhoni and his team. It was a smart move by the franchise as Stokes can be the future leader once Dhoni hangs his boots, having led the Yellow Army successfully.
It was a strategically a smart move by the Chennai management who will be requiring a captain for the future especially after Ravindra Jadeja failed as a leader last season, relinquishing captaincy mid-season
Stokes joining the yellow army will be a perfect signing, given the variety of experience and strength that the Englishman brings with him.
A destructive batter who can play as an opener to finishing the game at lower down the order. Stokes will aim to revive the Chennai Super Kings disastrous campaign last season.
Stokes was involved in a fierce bidding war with multiple franchises like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad showing interest in having him in their side.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) looked like having the England all rounder in their side with a bid of 14 crore before Chennai Super Kings entering the race at 15.25 crore. The Chennai based franchise showed some fierceness as they bought England skipper for 16.25 crore. Stokes is the most expensive player ever for CSK, surpassing Deepak Chahar.