IPL XI cheaper than Ben Stokes

Rising Pune Supergiants lacked a game-changer with the bat in the middle-order and also struggled with their death bowling, so it was no surprise to see them killing two birds with one stone as they bought Ben Stokes for INR 14.5 crore.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017 Teams and full list of players sold with price

The England all-rounder was not only the most expensive player in the auction but also the most expensive foreigner in the history of the IPL and second only to Yuvraj Singh in the list of most expensive players in IPL history. While Stokes does solve RPS' problems, could they have spent that money on an entire team?

How good would a team bought for less than what Stokes cost be? Could it challenge for the title? While the latter is debatable, here is an entire XI cheaper than Ben Stokes.

This XI is in line with the IPL regulations that demand seven Indians and four foreign players. Presenting to you an IPL XI that is cheaper than Ben Stokes:

Martin Guptill (Kings XI Punjab - INR 50 lakh)

When it comes to the best limited-overs openers in the current generation, Martin Guptill is never too far away. His ability to simply destroy bowling attacks and make a mockery of boundaries make him an invaluable asset, especially in a format which gives a huge advantage to players opening the innings.

With over 5,000 T20 runs to his name at an average of over 34 and strike rate of nearly 130, the 30-year-old Kiwi opener nearly went unsold once again. But for Kings XI who made an offer that secured his signature for his base price of INR 50 lakh, Guptill would have gone unsold again. And if he plays regularly, he will certainly repay every penny the franchise have paid.

Jason Roy (Gujarat Lions - INR 1 crore)

The big draw at IPL Auction 2017 was supposed to be English players. And while Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills were the two most expensive players in the auction, the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales went unsold. Like his compatriot Eoin Morgan, however, Jason Roy didn't suffer that fate as he was sold for his base price to Gujarat Lions.

The 26-year-old certainly has a proven track record when it comes to the shortest format of the game. Over 3,500 runs at a strike rate of nearly 145 in his T20 career speaks of a destructive opening batsman who can get his side off to a flyer.

With the likes of Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch and Dwayne Smith already at the Lions, it will be interesting to see whether Roy features in the XI or is used sparingly. Whatever the case, there can be little doubt that Gujarat Lions boast of the best openers in the tournament.

Manoj Tiwary (Rising Pune Supergiants - INR 50 lakh)

If there is one area where Pune struggled last year was in the middle-order where their Indian batsmen didn't quite do the job that was expected of them. The signing of Manoj Tiwary, who led East Zone to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was a step in ensuring that doesn't happen again.

He might be 31, but there can be little doubting his qualities as a T20 batsman. With over 2,500 runs in the format at an average of over 30, he has been consistent throughout his career and will provide Pune with stability in the middle-order which they didn't enjoy last year.

His experience of captaining his Ranji side will add to the number of brains Steve Smith can pick from should the need ever arise, along with the likes of MS Dhoni and Faf du Plessis, who he is likely to share the middle-order with.

Ishank Jaggi (Kolkata Knight Riders - INR 10 lakh)

While there were many surprising picks and players that went unsold, arguably the best piece of business in the entire auction was done by Kolkata Knight Riders who snapped up an in-form Indian batsman in Ishank Jaggi for just 10 lakh.

Extra Cover: KKR team 2017: Full list of players bought by Kolkata Knight Riders

With a career T20 average in excess of 30, the 28-year-old's sparkling recent form is no aberration. Three fifties in four matches for East Zone in their victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign certainly ensured that he caught the eye of KKR, who had no hesitation in signing the Jharkhand batsman and strengthen their line-up.

Although KKR have a strong Indian batting line-up as it is, the addition of Jaggi provides them with plenty of options and affords them the opportunity to experiment with their line-up.

Corey Anderson (Delhi Daredevils - INR 1 crore)

All eyes going into the auction were on an international all-rounder. If the year was 2015, the answer might have been Corey Anderson after his then fastest ODI hundred but in 2017, after a year where was struggling with injuries meant it was Ben Stokes who grabbed all the headlines.

And while at INR 14.5 crore, the Englishman might be the most expensive player in the auction, at just 1 crore, Corey Anderson has to be one of the steals of the auction. If fully fit and bowling once again, there aren't too many better all-rounders in the world, who can have the same impact the Kiwi star can have with both bat and ball.

That ability to make a difference is what prompted Delhi Daredevils to secure his signature, even if they already Chris Morris and Carlos Brathwaite. And it will be interesting to see how he fits and is used, but one thing is for sure, his quality and ability to make a difference across various facets of the game make him a game-changer.

Aditya Tare (Delhi Daredevils - INR 25 lakh)

After being bought for INR 1.2 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, Aditya Tare would have been disappointed to have been released by the reigning IPL champions. Being bought for INR 25 lakh by Delhi Daredevils would have come as scant consolation to the wicketkeeper.

While he has continued to showcase his good form in the domestic circuit, he was unlucky to be picked for just 25 lakh. The fact that most sides have settled keepers might have had something to do with and considering the fact DD already have four other keepers, it will be interesting to if he even gets a game.

Irrespective of whether he plays for DD, he gets a place in our side as the wicketkeeper and is a steal at just 25 lakh.

Pawan Negi (Royal Challengers Bangalore - INR 1 crore)

Pawan Negi might be disappointed that he was released from Delhi after being bought for INR 8.5 crore in 2016 but he found a new home in RCB where he will play in IPL 2017. Although RCB already have Yuzvendra Chahal as their first-choice spinner, they haven't always had someone to partner him in the spin department and Negi should provide just that.

One of the difficulties of playing as a spinner, especially at RCB is the fact that you are playing half your games at Bangalore, where the stadium isn't big and means spinners rarely have the opportunity to make a huge impact.

To succeed as a spinner at Bangalore, you have to either be a leg spinner who can turn the ball and beat the batsman (like Chahal) or contribute with the bat and make up for runs that you are inevitably going give. Negi falls under the latter category and should prove to be a useful asset for RCB.

Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Daredevils - INR 5 crore)

One of the finest young fast bowlers in the world right now is all set to play in his maiden IPL. Kagiso Rabada is arguably the second-best fast bowler in the world at the moment, behind only Mitchell Starc and with the latter opting to forego the tournament, the South African pacer will be looking to stamp his authority on the tournament.

The 21-year-old has raw pace which in itself can trouble the batsman. But what separates him from many other promising young bowlers is his control. Whether that is over swing with the new ball or with his variations, yorkers and slower balls at the death. Rabada is the complete T20 bowler. Delhi Daredevils have certainly made a great choice in ensuring that they sealed the signature of the South African pacer after a furious bidding war.

Aniket Choudhary (Royal Challengers Bangalore - INR 2 crore)

Before India's Test series against Australia, Aniket Choudhary was called up to the squad to give the Indian batsman some practice ahead of a tour in which they will face off against Mitchell Starc. In an exclusive interview to Sportskeeda, Aniket even mentioned that Starc was his idol and now he will look to fill the big shoes of Starc at RCB.

The left-arm pacer admitted that the only batsman in the Indian side that he couldn't dismiss throughout the sessions was Virat Kohli and even admitted that he would love to play for RCB before the auction. Now he will not only get to live his dream but also won't have to face the proposition of dismissing Virat Kohli. Whether the 27-year-old can fill Starc's shoes only time will tell, for now though, he can live his dream and play in his maiden IPL.

Thangarasu Natarajan (Kings XI Punjab - INR 3 crore)

The star of TNPL 2016, Thangarasu Natarajan was widely expected by many to go for big money in IPL Auction 2017 and he didn't disappoint. He was eventually snapped up for INR 3 crore by Kings XI Punjab whose brand ambassador and Director- cricket operations Virender Sehwag said they had done their homework on the Tamil Nadu pacer.

Extra Cover: Kings XI Punjab team 2017: Full list of players bought by Kings XI Punjab

The left-arm pacer had a base price of just INR 10 lakh but was at the centre of a bidding war before he was eventually signed by KXIP for whom he will provide a different option. The reason for war was not just the fact that he is a left-arm pacer who can nail his yorker and bowl fast but also because he has an uncanny resemblance in his action to Mustafizur Rahman and has proven very difficult to get away in T20s.

Pravin Tambe (Sunrisers Hyderabad - INR 10 lakh)

At the age of 45, Pravin Tambe went into the auction as the second-oldest player behind Brad Hogg. While the Australian chinaman didn't get picked, the leggie got the opportunity to play in the IPL once again after being picked up by the reigning IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Extra Cover: SRH team 2017: Full list of players bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad

With little competition, SRH were able to pick him up at his base price of just INR 10 lakh and help fill the hole that existed in their squad. Even if young Rashid Khan is likely to be their first-choice spinner, the presence of the experienced Tambe will be a big boost for the Afghanistan leggie, who will also Muttiah Muralitharan to call on for help.

A wicket-taking as well as an economical option, Tambe provides another option for the reigning IPL champions should they choose to use it.