IPL Auction 2023: Former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketer Ab de Villiers has demonstrated his high praise by asserting that the England red-ball captain Ben Stokes is undervalued and underpaid after landing an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract yesterday.
The 31-year-old Ben Stokes was amongst the notable names present in the IPL Auction and his build-up truly fulfilled the expectations as Ben Stokes was he became the third-highest earner in the IPL Auction after Sam Curran and Cameron Green.
The four-time champions Chennai Super Kings immersed with Lucknow Super Giants in a bidding war for Ben Stokes before the KL Rahul-led franchise eventually capitulated at 16.25 Crores and Chennai purchased him.
The incorporation of Ben Stokes in Chennai has only bolstered the franchise’s all-rounder options. Furthermore, Ben Stokes can be a like-for-like replacement for Dwayne Bravo in a franchise that is already well-equipped with all-rounders such as Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Ben Stokes is Undervalued and Underpaid: Ab de Villiers
Read More: LPL 2022: Third Season Of Lanka Premier League To Be Staged From July 31 To August 21
The right-hander batter Ab de Villiers asserted that Stokes is undervalued and underpaid and that he would contribute significantly to the team.
Speaking in a post-auction show at Jio Cinema, Ab de Villiers said, “Yaa lucky team (CSK). Don’t think there’s any amount of money for Ben Stokes in my opinion. An unbelievable player, he is a leader, and his experience with both bat and ball in the field.
The right-handed all-rounder Ben Stokes was released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction as the World Cup winner ought to take a break from franchise cricket and emphasize the longest format.
“He is going to win you games in cricket and that’s what you want. I actually think he is a bit undervalued, in my opinion, and underpaid. He is going to bring a lot to the party,” Ab de Villiers added.
Moreover, Eoin Morgan, the former England World Cup-winning captain, also claimed that Ben Stokes is a steal for Rs 16.25 crore and that the expertise he gives in high-pressure situations is priceless.
What did Eoin Morgan say?
Eoin Morgan said, “Whatever it takes to get Stokes, get Stokes. He is that big game player. Like we saw in the World Cup final, to show the cooler calmer version of himself when he needs it, he can call upon it anytime. He can take the new ball. It’s just a complete package.”
Prior to missing the remainder of the IPL 2021 due to a fractured finger, Stokes last featured for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
From an overall perspective, Ben Stokes has secured 920 runs in the IPL in 41 innings, including two half-centuries and two centuries. The right-arm-medium pacer also accumulated 28 wickets in 37 innings.
