IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya officially named captain – Ahmedabad IPL franchise officially named Hardik Pandya as the captain of the new franchise. The former Mumbai Indians all-rounder joined Ahmedabad for Rs 15 crore after he was released by the five-time champions. Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan are the two other picks. Follow IPL 2022 Auction Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
This is the first time that Hardik Pandya will lead a team in the IPL. However, before that, he will be aiming to return to his full fitness having struggled with his back for the last couple of years. He will also be the only player to represent home state IPL team as the captain.
“I’m Super excited to start. I assure you we will fight till the last ball,” Hardik Pandya said.
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad team captain Hardik Pandya takes a vow ‘we will fight till the last ball’, Coach Gary Kirsten ‘SUPER-IMPRESSED’
Arguably the best T20 spinner Rashid Khan was picked up by Ahemdabad for Rs 15 crore. The Afghan spin-wizard was instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s success. Shubman Gill joined the team for Rs 8 crore, higher than the base price of third player’s slab.
Team’s mentor Gary Kirsten said: “I am looking forward to working with Hardik Pandya, he is raring to go, we are lucky to have player of his skill.”
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad team captain Hardik Pandya says ‘we will give our all in IPL 2022’
3⃣ Stars in their bag already! #TeamAhmedabad has gone all guns blazing for #VIVOIPL 2022.
Which pick by them made you go 😍? Tell us 👇 pic.twitter.com/USDvtZKGnw
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 21, 2022
Ahmedabad IPL franchise picks:
- Hardik Pandya (Captain) – Rs 15 Cr
- Rashid Khan – Rs 15 Cr
- Shubman Gill – Rs 8 Cr
With the three picks confirmed, Ahmedabad paid a total of Rs 38 crore and will now be left with Rs 52 Crore IPL 2022 Auction purse.
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad team captain Hardik Pandya says ‘we will give our all in IPL 2022’
Meanwhile, Vikram Solanki has been appointed as Ahmedabad’s Director of Cricket while Hardik Pandya will be leading the franchise. Gary Kirsten will serve as the batting coach and mentor of the Ahmedabad franchise while Ashish Nehra has been appointed as the head coach.
In the 2021 season, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill played for SunRisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) respectively.
Earlier, IPL franchises Ahmedabad and Lucknow were asked to submit the list of their draft picks by January 22.
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad team captain Hardik Pandya says ‘we will give our all in IPL 2022’