As we all know that the IPL from the year 2022 will be a 10 team affair with Lucknow and Ahmedabad being the Two new franchises that have signed up for the IPL. Recently we saw that the 8 existing franchises retained a group of players to keep with them for future IPL seasons as well. However, they also released a lot of big players.
The two new teams Lucknow and Ahmedabad have a variety of players to pick their 3 players from before the mega IPL auction in the first week of January. So, let’s see which are the players that the two teams can target to keep with them . The deadline for these two new franchises to pick Three players ends on 25th December, 2021 so not a lot of time left to pick their players.
Lucknow :
1. KL Rahul -
This is the most obvious one as it has been widely reported that KL Rahul will be the captain of the Lucknow franchise. He was not happy in the Punjab Kings setup and therefore chose not to be retained by the franchise in the retention process. KL Rahul is being offered a lot of money as well to become captain of Lucknow and why not, he is one of the best T20 batters in the world and it would make sense for both parties and would be a new challenge for KL.
2. Rashid Khan -
It is frankly unbelievable how Sunrisers Hyderabad allowed Rashid Khan to go from their team. The best T20 bowler in the world and he is in the market. The Lucknow team can go for him and try to persuade him with their vision and long term plan for the franchise and Rashid also will get a new home and play with Kl Rahul in the same team. He can reject then as well but I think Lucknow will try to buy him before the auction.
3. Ishan Kishan -
It was a tough call for Mumbai Indians whether to retain him or Suryakumar Yadav and they went with Sky so that left Ishan in the market and he is too good a player and offers a varied set of skills to be left into the auction so Lucknow will most likely go for him and try to buy him.
Ahmedabad :
1. Shreyas Iyer -
Shreyas Iyer left Delhi Capitals because he wanted to captain an IPL franchise. And the Ahmedabad team also needs a strong and a level headed captain who is also a very good batter so he is the perfect fit. It would be a win for the Ahmedabad franchise if they are able to get Shreyas before the auction.
2. Hardik Pandya -
This is also very easy to guess as Hardik is a local boy and a new franchise would need a local star who has played for India and Ahmedabad would surely go for him and want him in their setup and Hardik would also be itching to prove that he is a special and a rare talent and Ahmedabad could be the place to do it
3. Trent Boult –
One of the best fast bowlers going at the moment and the best left arm fast bowler available at the moment. Ahmedabad can go for him as they would need a spearhead of the bowling attack and he could be the perfect leader for the group. He has a wealth of Championship experience as well so that will also help the franchise so Trent Boult to Ahmedabad would be a great signing by the franchise.
