England’s Ben Stokes was always going to be a big attraction at the IPL 2023 auction. The all-rounder was expected to fetch big bucks in the mini-auction along with Sam Curran and Cameron Green, and that is exactly how it turned out.

Stokes was snapped by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a hefty sum of INR 16.25 Crore, making him the joint-third most expensive buy in the history of IPL auctions.

CSK securing the services of Stokes has left fans wondering if the England Test skipper is being seen as a leader for the future.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra also feels that the CSK management sees Stokes as MS Dhoni's successor and wants o build a team around him.

However, Chopra found it a bit baffling as he expected the Super Kings to go for Kane Williamson instead if they were looking for a future captain.

"It was a bit baffling for me when Chennai went for Stokes. I felt they won't go for Stokes and would go for Kane Williamson if they needed a future captain. But the fact that they went hard for Stokes might mean that they are looking to make him Dhoni's successor and want to build a team around him," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Notably, the four-time IPL champions have been in search for legendary Dhoni's replacement as a skipper.

Ravindra Jadeja was appointed CSK’s captain for the IPL 2022 as Dhoni stepped down from the position two days ahead of the season. However, the all-rounder failed to make a mark as a leader. Under him, Chennai won just two out of the first eight games and as a result, he decided to relinquish the post, handing over the job back to Dhoni.

On a different note, Aakash Chopra is not sure where Stokes would come in to bat for CSK given the nature of the Chepauk track.

"When I look at the pitch in Chennai, I get confused about where Stokes will bat and with what kind of approach. He is surely not Bravo's replacement as he doesn't bowl that way, and they also don't have any top order slots empty. If he plays at No. 3 and Moeen Ali at No. 4, then where will the likes of Rayudu, Jadeja and Dhoni bat?" he stated.