India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to captain the new Ahmedabad franchise in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL), a source confirmed to Sports Tak. Along with Hardik, the CVC Capitals-owned franchise has also roped in MI wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) star leg-spinner Rashid Khan whereas former Indian left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra will be the head coach.
Hardik will captain an IPL franchise for the first time in his career. Also, this will be the first time he will not be playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) since he made his IPL debut.
Players' IPL record
The stylish all-rounder has made 92 IPL appearances. He has scored 1,476 runs from 85 innings at an average of 27.33 including four half-centuries. In the bowling department, he has taken 42 wickets at an average of 31.26. However, it is not certain whether he will be fit to bowl for Ahmedabad in the upcoming season or not.
Kishan has played for MI and now-defunct Gujarat Lions in his IPL career. The southpaw has scored 1,452 runs from 56 innings at an average of 28.47 including nine half-centuries.
The Afghan leg-spinner has played for SRH since he made his IPL debut. From 76 matches, he has taken 93 wickets at an average of 20.52. He has also maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.33 in his IPL career.
Players' salary and purse left
Until and unless there has been some negotiation, Pandya is set to get a fee of Rs 15 crore for leading Ahmedabad-based franchise. Ishan and Rashid are expected to get Rs 11 crore and Rs 7 crore respectively or vice versa. Franchises can also reduce or increase the fee of these players to an extent. However, in any case at least Rs 33 crore will be deducted from the franchise’s purse before the mega auction leaving them with Rs 67 crore or less.
