Ben Stokes is an English cricketer who plays for England in all the three formats of International cricket. A dominating left-handed batsman, a right-arm fast-medium bowler who can give you four overs in most of the games (T20s), and an excellent fielder who is a live-wire in the field. Stokes is one of the best all-rounders playing right now.
Stokes was the most expensive player in the auction of IPL 2018 as he was bought for a staggering ₹12.5 crores by Rajasthan Royals. Being an impact player, Stokes can win matches on his own. He contributes with both bat and ball and provides balance in the team’s line-up.
Previous IPL season
There was a buzz around the 10th season of the IPL as Ben Stokes made himself available for the auction. He was snapped up by the Rising Pune Supergiants for a hefty price of ₹14.5 crores, making him the costliest buy of the IPL 2017 auction.
Stokes proved his worth as he was named the Most Valuable Player of the season. He scored 316 runs at a strike rate of 142.98 and took 12 wickets in 12 matches, helping his team secure a place in the playoffs. RPS missed his services in the playoffs as they fell short of the title by just a single run in the final against Mumbai Indians.
Current form
Heading into the IPL 2018 season, Stokes hasn’t played much cricket as he was not selected in the England team following his brawl outside a nightclub in Bristol in 2017. He missed the entire 2017-18 Ashes series and the tri-nation T20I series which featured Australia, New Zealand, and England.
While not being cleared to play for England, Stokes went to New Zealand to participate in the Super Smash T20 league to get some match practice. He scored a brilliant 47 ball 93 and overall scored 133 runs in the three games he played. His bowling was a concern as he took just two wickets with an economy rate of 8.87 in three matches.
He was cleared of all the charges by the Bristol Magistrates court and joined the English team in Hamilton for New Zealand series. Making a comeback in an ODI series against New Zealand in March 2018, he scored 141 runs and took five wickets in five matches. He lacked aggression as his batting strike rate was just above 74.
It could take some matches for Stokes to get his mojo back but once he is in-form, he can absolutely take away the game against any opposition. He would be Rajasthan Royals’ key player in this season of the IPL and he would be looking forward to repaying their faith in him.
