Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were one of the busiest Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises on the first day of the mega auction for IPL 2022. They got eight players including three overseas and five Indian players. On the second day of the auction, the Lucknow-based franchise signed in players like, Manan Vohra (Rs 20 lakh), Shahbaz Nadeem (Rs 50 lakh), K Gowtham (Rs 90 lakh).
Proper planning
The team had a clear mindset and a proper strategy as they signed three all-rounders out of their six signings on Saturday (February 12). The KL Rahul-led side spent Rs 8.75 crore for West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder. Apart from Holder, they also roped in Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya (Rs 8.25 crore) and Deepak Hooda (Rs 5.75 crore).
They also signed in English bowler Mark Wood for Rs 7.5 crore, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock (Rs 6.75 crore) and Indian batter Manish Pandey (Rs 4.6 crore.). However, their most expensive came later in the day in form of Avesh Khan. The fast bowler became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the auction at Rs 10 crore. Ankit Singh Rajpoot was their last pick of the day at Rs 65 lakh.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Quinton de Kock – Rs 6.75 Crore
Manish Pandey – Rs 4.60 Crore
Jason Holder – Rs 8.75 Crore
Deepak Hooda – Rs 5.75 Crore
Krunal Pandya – Rs 8.25 Crore
Mark Wood – Rs 7.50 Crore
Avesh Khan – Rs 10 Crore
Ankit Rajpoot – Rs 50 Lakh
K Gowtham - Rs 90 lakh
Dushmantha Chameera- Rs 2 crore
Shahbaz Nadeem- Rs 50 lakh
Manan Vohra- Rs 20 lakh
Mohsin Khan- Rs 20 lakh
Ayush Badoni- Rs 20 lakh
Kyle Mayers- Rs 50 lakh
Karan Sharma- Rs 20 lakh
Evin Lewis- Rs 2 crore
Mayank Yadav- Rs 20 lakh
Retained players
KL Rahul
Marcus Stoinis
Ravi Bishnoi
Signed players ahead of the auction
Apart from KL Rahul, the Lucknow team had roped in two more players ahead of the mega auction 2022. They had opted for Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for Rs 17 Crore. Young Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi was picked by the franchise for Rs 4 Crore.
If a batsman like KL Rahul will strengthen the team's batting, then the team have got a good spinner in the form of Bishnoi. Stoinis is expected to fill the all-rounder's slot efficiently.
Rahul has scored 2,400 runs in 94 matches in IPL career. He had previously been the leader of the Punjab Kings side for two IPL seasons. He produced a terrific show with the bat for the Punjab-based side but could not help his team in lifting the title.
Stoinis on the other hand, has scored 914 runs and scalped 30 wickets in 56 matches, while Bishnoi has taken 24 wickets in 23 matches.
The team management
Lucknow's team will be captained by KL Rahul. Sanjeev Goenka, the owner of the franchise, had previously been in the IPL auction with Rising Pune Supergiant (now defunct) in 2016 and 2017. The Lucknow-based team this time, have acquired the services of former World Cup-winning batsman Gautam Gambhir as the mentor of the side and former wicketkeeper-batsman Vijay Dahiya was appointed as the assistant coach.
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower was chosen as the head coach of the side. Flower coached the Multan Sultans side to a title victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last season and the Lucknow team management would want exactly a same sort of performance from him in their debut season.
