IPL Auction 2023 is set to be held on the 16th of December, 2022. There is plenty of excitement before that as some star players are set to be a part of it. But which guys are going to get the maximum price in this year’s mini-auction?
Which cricket stars will break the bank of IPL franchise owners? What makes those stars worth it, and which teams will target them? To find all these answers, let’s get right into this blog.
Top 3 Players in the IPL Auction 2023
Underlying are the 3 players who are expected to be bought at skyrocketing prices in the auction:
1. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is a superstar, and the whole cricketing fraternity recognizes it. He is a match-winner day in and day out. Having already bagged 14.5 crore INR in the IPL 2017 auction, the expectation for the price is only to go higher.
The star all-rounder played the 2021 season for Rajasthan Royals but didn’t participate in IPL 2022 mega auctions. It was a surprising call, as several IPL franchises were eager to rope him in. But, Stokes wanted to focus more on international cricket amid injury concerns.
But, after his return to full fitness, he has looked as good as ever. In the ongoing T20 World Cup, he has been bowling regularly and has been exceptionally good in the fielding department. Moreover, he has retired from the ODI format to focus more on the other two formats. Therefore, he is expected to be a part of the IPL auction 2023.
Although Stokes is a hot property for every franchise, CSK and RR might be most interested in him. For CSK, he can perfectly fit in at the #3 position as they need a solid batting all-rounder. RR will also be highly interested in him as he has done well for them in the past.
2. Sam Curran 
England’s cricket team has been producing a bulk of all-rounders in recent times, and Sam Curran is one of them. But Sam’s success is not comparable to any of those. At the start of his career, he was sought as only a red ball cricketer, but now he is an established white ball player.
His rise as a T20 player had indeed been amazing to witness. In a strong English team, he now holds the responsibility of being their most reliable death overs bowler. In 2022, he has played 17 matches, picked 22 scalps, and his economy rate has been just 7.67.
The more important thing is the trust that Sam has earned from his skipper. Whether it’s the powerplay or middle overs, whenever Butler needs a wicket, he goes to Sam Curran. Also, he has won England a handful of games with his bowling in the slog overs. Such form and consistency make him a lethal bowling option.
Apart from being brilliant with the ball, he is dangerous with the bat too. His IPL strike rate of 149.8 is enough to justify the statement. Also, he can be floated around the batting order from #3 to #8, as CSK had done with him. He played various game-changing cameos for them and can also do the same for his new IPL team.
Talking about Sam’s cricketing skills, you can’t forget his fielding. He is a guy who fields in key spots and is a safe catcher. So, he has got all it takes to get more than 100 million INR in the IPL auction 2023. CSK and Punjab Kings will certainly keep eye on him.
3. Cameron Green 
Not many T20 cricket fans across the planet knew his name a few months back, but he has made his presence felt now. Having a T20I strike rate of 173.8, he is a destructive bloke at the top of the order. The tall Australian can take apart any bowling lineup on his day, and he is not a slogger, but a proper batsman.
When Australia toured India earlier this year, Cameron Green blasted 61 off just 30 balls in the first T20I. He was run out in the second game, but the third match saw him produce another masterclass. He thrashed Indian bowlers all around the park to score 52 off just 21 balls. So, his 3 outings on Indian soil have shown that he can be a hard-to-stop batter here.
With the ball in hand, he can hit 140+ clicks and is capable of bowling at any stage of the innings. Considering the seam movement and pace he can generate, he can be a potential candidate to open the bowling. Also, he is a sharp fielder in the circle and catches well in the slips.
IPL franchises can go all out on their purse for someone as talented and as versatile as Green. RCB and KKR may be the most interesting franchises in buying Cam Green.
Final Words
IPL auction 2023 is just a few weeks away, and franchises will eye to target certain players. The three all-rounders, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, and Cameron Green, will likely be the hottest deals in the upcoming mini-auction. Franchises won’t hesitate to spend millions of dollars to have these guys on their side.
