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KL Rahul is set to lead a new franchise in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The Lucknow-based franchise owned by RP Sanjiv Goenka Group has roped in Rahul as their captain after he parted ways with Punjab Kings (PBKS), as per a report by ESPNCricinfo.
Apart from Rahul, the franchise has also roped in Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and uncapped Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi in the side. The franchise is yet to make an official announcement about the three players they are supposed to submit to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of mega auctions.
As per the report, Rahul’s services have been acquired for Rs 15 crore. The ex-Delhi Capitals all-rounder has been given Rs 11 crore whereas Bishnoi will receive Rs 4 crore as he Is yet to make his international debut. After Rahul, Bishnoi is another player who played for PBKS in the last season.
In the mega auctions scheduled for February 12 and 13, the Lucknow franchise will go in with Rs 60 crore in their purse.
Rahul captained the Indian side in the Johannesburg Test as Virat Kohli was unfit to play and Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the tour after getting injured. In Rohit’s absence, the Karnataka batter will also lead India in the three-ODI series against the Proteas starting January 19. Rahul has been terrific as a batter in the last few IPL seasons but he does not have a great record leading. In 27 matches as PBKS skipper, Rahul has a 44.44 win percentage with 11 wins, 14 losses and two ties to his name.
On the other hand, the Ahmedabad franchise are likely to make former Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Hardik Pandya their captain for the upcoming season. Apart from Hardik, star Afghan spinner is set to join the Ahmedabad franchise. A recent report also suggested Shubman Gill will be their third pick instead of Ishan Kishan whose name was reported earlier.
