IPL Auction 2023: In the ongoing, Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Chennai Super Kings have acquired Ben Stokes at a base price of 16.25 crores.
After a tussle between Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the English all-rounder Ben Stokes has finally found himself a dwell in the IPL 2023.
The 31-year-old 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 international cricket.
With Ben Stokes now being passed to Chennai Super Kings, he becomes the third Rajasthan Royals all-rounder to be appointed by the MS Dhoni-led franchise. Ravindra Jadeja and Shane Watson are the other two players who were recruited by Chennai after Rajasthan let them go in the auction.
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IPL Auction 2023: Ben Stokes Completes The Rajasthan-Turned-Chennai All-Rounder Trio
While the Chennai-based franchise announced the arrival of their latest signing, Rajasthan Royals, who once were in contention to purchase took it to Twitter to set forth a distinctive record.
Ben Stokes made his debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2018 after having a blistering season with Rising Pune Su7pergiants in 2017. In his maiden season with the Sanju Samson-led side, the English all-rounder stitched 196 runs in 12 innings and also scalped 8 wickets.
From an overall perspective, Ben Stokes has secured 604 runs for Rajasthan Royals in 30 innings, including one half-century and one century. The right-arm-medium pacer also accumulated 16 wickets in 25 innings.
In 2021 Ben Stokes represented Rajasthan Royals in only one fixture before being ruled out of the tournament and missing out on the mega-auction.
Similarly, Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson made his IPL debut for the Royals all the way back in 2008, the inaugural season of the tournament and the same goes for Ravindra Jadeja.
The right-handed Watson represented the Royals for 76 innings by aggregating 2,372 runs at an average of 36.5, which includes 14 half-centuries and 2 centuries. Watson also claimed 61 scalps in 70 innings with an economy of 7.50.
In 2015 Watson moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore as Royals served a 2-year ban and eventually joined Chennai in 2018, and maneuvered them to an IPL title that season.
Lastly, The IPL stalwart Ravindra Jadeja also played the first two seasons for Rajasthan Royals before shifting his base to Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and Chennai won their second consecutive title that year.