The Lucknow franchise, which is one of the two new sides – along with Ahmedabad – entering the IPL from this year, has finalised Indian batter KL Rahul, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and uncapped Indian wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as their three signings before entering the much-awaited auction for the IPL 2022. ESPNcricinfo stated in a report.
ESPNcricinfo also reported that Rahul is all set to lead the Lucknow franchise, having been bought into the set-up at a sum of INR 15 crores. Further, the Lucknow think-tank has reached an agreement with Stoinis and Bishnoi for sums of INR 11 crores and 4 crores, respectively, for the season ahead.
According to rules laid down by the BCCI and Indian Premier League governing council for the pre-auction signings process, Ahmedabad and Lucknow can draft in their squad three players – with a maximum of one overseas – before the mega auction. In doing so, the franchise will have to concede minimum sums of 15 crores, 11 crores and 7 crores (if the third player is not an uncapped Indian, in which case they let go 4 crores).
It seems Lucknow haven’t had to spend extra money than the minimum they needed to let go of from their pre-auction pocket in bringing in Rahul, Stoinis and Bishnoi. The three players cover up multiple bases for the franchise. While Rahul is a top-order anchor who can double up as a wicketkeeper, Stoinis is the fast-bowling allrounder capable of blasting attacks in the end-overs, and Bishnoi is a promising wrist-spinner who adds depth and incisiveness to the attack.
Rahul parted ways with the Punjab franchise at the end of the IPL 2021 after a four-season stint with them since 2018. In this time frame, he has been one of IPL’s most consistent players, scoring over 2,000 runs as an opening batter. Rahul’s captaincy stint with PBKS didn’t go according to his wishes, but that had more to do with the team’s lack of depth in both departments than any fault in his leadership. With a more resourceful side up his sleeves, Rahul the batter can definitely help Lucknow taste success as captain.
During his time with PBKS, Rahul saw Bishnoi emerge as one of their most promising cricketers over the last two years. Bishnoi, a bright find from the 2020 batch of Indian U-19 World Cup players, made his IPL debut that year for Punjab, taking 12 wickets with an economy rate of 7.37. He repeated the haul of 12 wickets in IPL 2021 while going for 6.34 runs an over.
Bishnoi’s unorthodox, 12 0’clock action makes it difficult to decipher his googly from the one that straightens for the right-handers, and that makes him a very fruitful pick at this stage and a steal at 4 crores.
Stoinis’ is another noteworthy signing by the Lucknow franchise. The Aussie allrounder didn’t have the best of IPL 2021. But in IPL 2020 with Delhi Capitals, he showcased what he is truly capable of. The explosive batter scored 352 runs at a strike-rate of 148.52 and took 13 wickets, delivering useful overs as a fifth or sixth bowling option.
Signing this trio means that the Lucknow franchise, which has appointed Andy Flower as its head coach and Gautam Gambhir as a mentor, will be entering the mega auction with a purse of INR 60 crores. The two-part bidding process for a ten-team IPL 2022 will be held on February 12 and 13.
