{
  "id": 4849498,
  "title": "Ben Stokes Surpasses Babar Azam To Become Most Expensive Player In BBL History, Signs ₹3.30 Crore Deal With Adelaide Strikers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/ben-stokes-surpasses-babar-azam-to-become-most-expensive-player-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T11:04:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ben-stokes-surpasses-babar-azam-to-become-most-expensive-player-in-bbl-history-signs-330-crore-deal-with-adelaide-strikers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ben Stokes, the former England cricket captain, is set to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the first time in over a decade after signing a record-breaking contract with the Adelaide Strikers. The 36-year-old all-rounder will earn a massive A$500,000 (₹3.39 Crore) for the upcoming season, making it the most expensive deal in BBL history, surpassing the previous record held by Babar Azam.\n\nStokes had been in negotiations with multiple franchises before ultimately choosing the Adelaide Strikers. He will be available for the entire season, excitedly anticipating his return to the BBL. The Adelaide Strikers expressed their delight at securing such a cricketing legend, emphasizing their eagerness to welcome him to the team.\n\nBen Stokes' return to the BBL comes after a 12-year hiatus since his last appearance in the league during the 2014/15 season. Since then, he has continued to excel in various formats of the game, including leading England in Test cricket, winning two World Cups, and retiring from international cricket. Currently, Stokes is playing domestic cricket for Durham and is expected to feature in the full tournament.\n\nWhile Stokes' contract is an impressive achievement for the BBL, it is still a fraction of the salaries paid in other prominent T20 leagues, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). During his last IPL auction in 2023, Stokes was purchased by the Chennai Super Kings for a significantly higher sum of ₹16.25 crore. However, he could only participate in a few games due to injury before retiring from the league. Since then, he has focused on his Test career, serving as the captain of England and not playing in the IPL since.",
  "summary": "Ben Stokes will play the Big Bash League for the first time in over a decade having signed a record breaking deal with the Adelaide Strikers. The former England captain was in negotiations with a number of franchises before deciding to join the Adelaide franchise for the upcoming season. As per 7 News, Ben Stokes is available for the entire season. He will earn a massive A$500,000 (₹3.39 Crore).…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}