Ben Stokes became the most expensive overseas player edging Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. (Source: File) Ben Stokes became the most expensive overseas player edging Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. (Source: File)

England’s big hitting batsman Ben Stokes joined Rising Pune Supergiants after he was snapped up for Rs. 14.50 crore in the IPL 2017 Player Auction that was conducted at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Bengaluru.

IPL 2017 Player Auction Live

Stokes entered the auction at the maximum base price of Rs. 2 crore and even before the bidding could commence, there were takers for him. The bidding war saw Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiants battle it out for his services. After early bidding contest between DD, MI and SRH, RPS entered the foray by bidding for Rs. 13.50 crore and then upped their effort with Rs. 14.50 crore which proved to be the final price.

WATCH | List Of Players Sold At IPL Auction 2017: Ben Stokes Most Expensive Buy At Rs 14.5 Crore

In the process, he has become the most expensive overseas player edging fellow England players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen who had drawn top money in 2009.

Stokes is likely to lose 100,000 pounds, as per a Telegraph report, from his central contract with the England side for playing in the IPL.

Stokes has enjoyed support recently from India skipper Virat Kohli and that could have helped increase his price even further. Kohli, of RCB, had said, “He’s (Stokes) a guy with great character, he’s always fighting to win games for England. We have seen that from him in Test cricket and today he was really motivated to win the game for them. You could tell from his body language. The way he bowled, the way he batted and the way he was running in the end as well, while he was batting. I mean every side is pleased to have cricketers like that. And nowadays everyone does play with that mindset.”

WATCH VIDEO |IPL 2017 Player Auction: Ben Stokes Draws Big Bucks In First Session, Cheteshwar Pujara Unsold

Before putting himself up for the auction, Stokes had stated: “I have put myself up for the auction. It is a good opportunity to go away and experience a different competition. This year’s IPL is a chance not just for myself but to a few other English guys to go and experience what it is like and get a different side of T20 cricket rather than just playing in England. I am looking forward to seeing, if I get a chance.”

“You end up playing against the best players in the world, although it is T20 cricket. Look at the guys who have played in franchise cricket in Australia and India as well,” he added.

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