‘Lucknow Super Giants will definitely go for Ben Stokes’ - Ravichandran Ashwin’s bold prediction ahead of IPL mini-auction

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a bold prediction stating the future of Ben Stokes in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. The English cricketer had a stellar season with both bat and bowl and scripted some of the memorable victories for the Three Lions in the recent times and also stole the show in T20 World Cup final against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Thus, without a doubt, there will be multiple franchises interested in the 31-year-old in the forthcoming IPL mini-auction on December 23 at Kochi. With that, Ashwin believes that Lucknow Super Giants will be heavily interested in order to sign the all-rounder. The latest entrants have released Jason Holder ahead of the new season and thus, have the cash to bid for the player.

“Lucknow Super Giants will definitely go for Ben Stokes. Only if they don’t get him, they will go for other players,” Ashwin said on his Youtube channel.

CSK will go for Sam Curran from the Marquee list: Ravichandran Ashwin

The former Chennai Super Kings cricketer, Ashwin believes that his former franchise will be heavily interested in Sam Curran. The English all-rounder was tremendous in the recently concluded T20 World Cup as he was the second-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Ashwin believes that the MS Dhoni-led side will first go after Curran and in case they miss out on him, CSK will try to first get hands on Stokes and then on Cameron Green.

“CSK will go for Sam Curran from the Marquee list. They won’t get him. They will go all-out on Ben Stokes as well. They won’t get him as well. They will also go for Cameron Green,” said the 36-year-old.

The Rajasthan Royals player also believes that CSK might go after the explosive Caribbean batter Nicholas Pooran in the mini-auction. The southpaw was in terrible form last year but is showing class in the ongoing Abu Dhabi T10 League. Thus, Ashwin believes that his value will be really high this season.

“I feel as a second keeper, an explosive left-hander, I know he didn’t play well last year but I feel he will go for a good price, Nicholas Pooran. His resale value will be really high,” said Ashwin.