Dashing all-rounders are always in high demand during the IPL auctions, and with Ben Stokes confirming his name to go under the hammer in February at Bengaluru, teams are keen on his signature.
As per the reports, till now two IPL teams the Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants have said at their interest in the left-handed batsman.
Gujarat Lions’ CEO Harvinder Singh opened up about their interest on Stokes for IPL 2017 auction, but fears his availability for the entire duration.
The New Indian Express quoted Singh as saying, “If I told you that we are not looking at him as an option, then that certainly will not be the case. He is definitely an option. But I will not tell you whether he fits into our scheme of things or not. Ideally when you take in a player, you bring him in with the understanding that he will be available for all games.”
Well, Pune Supergiants could provide some tough competition to the Lions, and the two could be involved in a bidding war as well.
“If English players (and Ben Stokes is certainly one) make themselves available for the entirety of the tournament, they are bound to create a flutter or two,” RPS’ CEO Raghu Iyer said.
Also note that these two IPL teams, Rising Pune Supergiants and the Gujarat Lions are led by star players MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina respectively.
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