Sunrisers Hyderabad are prime contenders to sign Ben Stokes in IPL 2023 Auction: Aakash Chopra

Former India opener Aakash Chopra reckons Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) could think of buying Ben Stokes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 auction.

Stokes, who has set his base price at Rs 2 crore, is a superstar of the game and delivers in the toughest of situations. Chopra predicted that Stokes would be auctioned off for the third-highest price in the IPL 2023 auction. He believes Stokes’ role as a top-order batter and his leadership abilities could entice Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are looking for a player with a similar role after losing Kane Williamson.

“I don’t think Chennai Super Kings or Punjab Kings might want Ben Stokes. Mumbai Indians could think about Stokes if they can snap him up at around 8-10 crore,” Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

SRH have released big names like former captain Kane Williamson and the explosive Nicholas Pooran. They certainly might want someone like Ben Stokes, who can bat in the top order as well as lead the side.

“Stokes could be the third-most expensive player at the auction. Auction dynamics can often change a lot of things and inflate prices. Sunrisers Hyderabad need a top-order batter and a captain, so they will be prime contenders to go for Stokes.

“Even Delhi might feel the need to go for him if they don’t get a quality all-rounder from elsewhere,” Chopra added.

Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, will be another big name with a base price of Rs 2 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad released him alongside West Indian Nicholas Pooran. Williamson’s strike rate in T20s has been questioned, but he remains an excellent captaincy candidate if a franchise is looking for one.