Sportskeeda Cricket Awards 2017: Top five T20 all-rounders of the year

Benjamin Stokes

Stokes played a crucial role in Pune reaching the final of the 2017 IPL

Before alcohol, and a boxing session outside a UK bar, consumed his chances of playing this year's Ashes (and perhaps saving it for England), Stokes was in the midst of a dream 2017. His stocks were rising by the day and reached its apogee when the IPL auctions took place, turning him into an overnight millionaire.

Acquired for Rs. 14.5 crore by Rising Pune Supergiant, Stokes was instrumental in the side reaching the finals, even though he was forced to leave them before the playoffs.

His contribution to the side was much more than the 312 runs and 12 wickets he collected in 12 games, as he provided remarkable balance and chipped in with crucial knocks at a strike-rate of 143.

Not part of the Ashes squad, Stokes turned to New Zealand, his birthplace, representing Canterbury in the Super Smash for three games. After a scratchy start, he returned to form with a blazing 47-ball 93 in one of the games. If only Stokes would have kept his cool that night outside the Bristol bar, just like he invariably does on a cricket field.