The Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction is set to take place in Kochi on December 23 and speculation is already rife on what players the franchises will bid for.

Veteran India spinner R Ashwin believes that England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes would be in demand at the auction table and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) might be the franchise that go after him.

“Lucknow Super Giants will definitely go for Ben Stokes. Only if they don’t get him, they will go for other players," said Ashwin on his Youtube channel.

Notably, Stokes had pulled out of the IPL 2022 season, citing workload management with an aim to give his best for England in Test cricket. In 2021, the 31-year-old featured in just one IPL match for Rajasthan Royals before being injured.

This time around, however, Stokes has put up his name for the upcoming mini-auction for the 2023 edition of IPL.

According to Ashwin, four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might bid for Nicholas Pooran as a second wicket-keeping option if they couldn’t secure the services of any leading all-rounders like Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, or Cameron Green.

“I feel as a second keeper, an explosive left-hander, I know he didn’t play well last year but I feel he will go for a good price, Nicholas Pooran. His resale value will be really high.”

“Even CSK might also go for him because CSK will go for Sam Curran from the Marquee list. They won’t get him. They will go all-out on Ben Stokes as well. They won’t get him as well. They will also go for Cameron Green,” said Ashwin.

Pooran was associated with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2022 while Curran has previously turned up for CSK. On the other hand, Green has thrown his hat into the IPL auction ring for the first time.