IPL 2023: 5 franchises that could pick Ben Stokes in mini auction
Ben Stokes is one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket and franchises could go for a bidding war to sign him.
2. Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings did an amazing job at the 2022 mega auction, packing themselves with match-winners on both, batting and bowling fronts. However, they failed to sign a high-quality multifaceted players who could provide the right balance to the side. PBKS invested heavily in Odean Smith to fill the all-rounder void but it did not reap dividends.
The 26-year-old could manage mere 51 runs in six games at a strike rate of 115.91 and conceded runs at an alarming rate of 11.87. Following his mediocre outings, Punjab tried Rishi Dhawan for the all-rounder’s role. The Himachal Pradesh-born did a good job with the ball, picking six wickets in as many games but was quite poor with the bat, scoring mere 37 runs at a strike rate of 92.50.
As Smith and Dhawan have not been able to make a mark with their performances, PBKS might move past them and look for different options to deliver the goods in both departments. Stokes is one of the top all-rounders in the game and the Punjab franchise could look to pick him at the upcoming auction.
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