The well-known all-rounder from England, Ben Stokes, might feature in the IPL again. Despite stepping back from international cricket, Stokes continues to deliver strong performances in T20 format as a batsman.
The demand for players like Ben Stokes in T20 leagues is extremely high. He is recognized as one of the most dangerous all-rounders globally. In leagues such as the IPL, every team requires a player capable of single-handedly changing the course of a match.
Stokes has played for three teams in the IPL. He debuted in 2017 for Rising Pune Supergiants. Subsequently, from 2018 to 2021, he was part of the Rajasthan Royals squad. Most recently, Stokes played for Chennai in 2023.
Chennai Super Kings acquired Stokes for a sum of 16.25 crore. In 45 matches and 44 innings in the IPL, Ben Stokes scored 935 runs at an average strike rate of 133.95. During this period, he managed to score two centuries and two half-centuries.
If Stokes registers his name in the IPL 2027 mini-auction, several franchises could place a major bid on him. However, four teams in particular are actively seeking a player of Stokes' caliber, and intense competition for his signing may arise among these four sides.
For Chennai Super Kings, the biggest challenge is filling the void left by Ravindra Jadeja. CSK is looking for a reliable all-rounder who can not only strengthen the middle order but also score crucial runs in difficult moments. Stokes is ideally suited for this role. When Stokes was last with Chennai, he was unable to play the entire tournament due to injury.
The Rajasthan Royals have long needed a powerful all-rounder as their fourth overseas player. Stokes previously played for Rajasthan from 2018 to 2021 and scored centuries there. Thus, Rajasthan might once again look to their old choice. This is especially true after Sanju Samson's departure from the team, as Rajasthan needs an experienced player.
Following Andre Russell's exit, the Kolkata Knight Riders have an open slot for a powerful all-rounder. Furthermore, after Ajinkya Rana's retirement, the team is searching for a new captain. Stokes' experience in captaincy could be highly beneficial for KKR.
Although Lucknow Super Giants possess a strong top order, they lacked a match-finishing player last season. After Rishabh Pant moved to Delhi, Lucknow is also exploring new captaincy options. In this scenario, Ben Stokes could add depth to the team's attack and take on the leadership burden.