Team-wise one player whom CSK should target in the next IPL auction

4) Rajasthan Royals – Ben Stokes

A morale-boosting win against Chennai Super Kings will keep the Rajasthan Royals in good stead for the upcoming games. Still, they have their work cut out as they cannot drop more games for the rest of the season. If they do, then it will make their qualifying chances even more difficult. In other words, for Rajasthan. it has been a season of missed opportunities as most of their players except Jofra Archer have failed to live up to their expectations.

One being England’s World Cup hero, Ben Stokes. At first, the all-rounder couldn’t join the franchise owing to his problems. Then when he arrived at the halfway mark of the tournament, he has been below-par with his performances. So now the franchise will surely have second thoughts about him before the next auctions. The rise of Indian players like Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal will also make the franchise think twice about his retention.

Stokes is a match-winner in his own right. However, the move to Rajasthan hasn’t worked for him. Here he has not been given a defined role, and it is clear from the frequent change in his batting position in every new season. As a bowler also, he hasn’t found his feet in the Pink jersey. Looking at all these Royals is likely to part ways with Ben very soon.

If it happens, then the Chennai Super Kings should eye for him in the next sell-off. Stokes can fill in the void of a cricketing giant like MS Dhoni. Not as a captain, but as a marquee player who can be the face of the franchise in their new era. His all-around skills and ability to rise for the team in pressure situations will help CSK bring back their glory days. With age on his side, he can be Chennai’s biggest star for the next few seasons.