‘My two cents – it was not going to happen’ – Aakash Chopra says CSK won’t retain Ben Stokes even if he is available for IPL 2024

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels the CSK would have released star all-rounder Ben Stokes, and no team would have shown interest in him ahead of the IPL 2024. Notably, the English Test skipper has made himself unavailable for the IPL 2024 owing to workload and fitness issues.

The great cricketer failed to impress in the ODI World Cup 2023, despite being brought back into the team after his retirement. In addition, the top-order batter was only able to score 15 runs in two games for IPL 2023. Ben Stokes got injured at the beginning of the game, and he was unable to play the later games as few players had sealed their place in the starting line-up.

Speaking on the same subject, Aakash Chopra reckons that the CSK star batters were brought to the franchise for substantial amounts have taken the great step of not playing IPL 2024. In addition, the renowned cricket commentator feels CSK will look to buy new players as they will have more money after Ben Stokes and Ambati Rayudu stepped out ahead of the IPL 2024.

Ben Stokes has said that he won’t play in the IPL: Aakash Chopra

“Ben Stokes has said that he won’t play in the IPL. Were Chennai going to retain him? That’s a big question. In my opinion, they weren’t going to do so. Would any other team have bought him for 16.25 crores? My two cents – it was not going to happen. So, he did the right thing. Ambati Rayudu has retired. So, you have rupees 20 crore and you will get five crores in any case when the purse is increased,” Aakash Chopra said.

The 46-year-old cricketer also mentioned a few players whom CSK can target to buy ahead of the IPL 2024. Moreover, the former India opener feels Sam Curran will also get released from PBKS after his poor stint in the IPL in 2023.

“So Chennai will reach the auction table with more than 25 crores. Who will they want? Can they think about Rachin Ravindra? He is a possibility. The second thing connected with this is Punjab will release Sam Curran, and they should release him,” he added further.