3 Players KKR can target in next year's IPL Auction

3. Ben Stokes

There wouldn’t be a single paddle that wouldn’t go up when the auctioneer displays Ben Stokes’ name on the big screen. A fast-bowling all-rounder is the most sought-after player in any lineup, be it test cricket, one-day or T20 cricket. A fast bowler who can pick crucial wickets and a gritty batter who can smack the leather of the cricket ball always, bring balance to the playing eleven. And KKR has been dying to get the right balance for their squad, as they have tried 20 players out of their quota of 25 players in this season of the Tata IPL.

There will undoubtedly be a bidding war if and when Ben Stokes steps foot on the auction block, but KKR must dig up their reserve funds to secure the man who can do the job Andre Russell has been doing for years. In recent years, KKR has been overly reliant on Russell, and they have struggled to get over the line when he fails to deliver. This gap can be filled by Stokes as he can go bonkers right from the word go. The “Man of the Match” of the 2019 ODI World Cup final is no stranger to playing under pressure and that will further ease the pressure on Shreyas Iyer and Russell, who have been doing the bulk of the scoring for KKR.

Scoring over 900 runs in 42 IPL innings, Stokes has already proved his mettle in the Indian premier league. Ben has scored two IPL centuries, striking at a staggering strike rate of 134.5. In the 37 innings that Stokes had the ball in hand, he picked up 28 wickets at a decent economy of 8.56 runs per over. Stokes can also bring his experience into KKR’s lineup and can guide the young captain Shreyas Iyer during critical decisions. A lineup with Russell and Stokes can be a nightmare for any team, as on their given day, they can just steamroll through the opposition team.