Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket, but is still playing in club and franchise cricket. Now he has created history, as he has become the most expensive player in the history of Big Bash League (BBL). Eddy Led Strikers bought him for 2 lakh 65 thousand pounds, which is equivalent to approximately Rs 3.9 crore.
In the old draft system of the Big Bash League, a player could get a maximum of £ 220,000, but Ben Stokes has set a new standard. Since BBL is an Australian league and in the currency there, Ben Stokes will get 5 lakh dollars. Stokes has also expressed happiness on joining Adelaide Strikers.
Ben Stokes said on joining Adelaide Strikers, “I am very excited to be joining Adelaide Strikers for BBL 16. I have always loved playing in Australia and when the opportunity came to play for Adelaide Strikers, I could not pass it up.”
It is said that before this, Babar Azam was the most expensive player in the history of BBL. He was signed by Sydney Sixers for 4 lakh 20 thousand Australian dollars.
Ben Stokes has played in the Big Bash League before and will be making a comeback after 12 years. He represented the Melbourne Renegades team in the 2014–15 season. He played only 4 matches for this team, scored 128 runs with the bat and also took 3 wickets in bowling. After that he was also seen playing in IPL and The Hundred, but was never able to return to the Big Bash League.
15 seasons of Big Bash League have been completed, but Adelaide Strikers have become champions only once. His memorable win came in the 2017-18 season. In the final, Adelaide team defeated Hobart Hurricanes by 25 runs. This match is also remembered for Jack Weatherald's century and Peter Siddle's lethal bowling.
The performance of Adelaide Strikers has been disappointing for the last 2 seasons. It has failed to qualify for the qualifiers and knockout stage. Last season, this team finished sixth in the table, while in the 2023-25 season it was at the bottom of the table. The arrival of Ben Stokes in BBL 2026-27 will definitely give Adelaide Strikers the strength which they have been missing for the last 2 seasons.