IPL 2022: Lucknow IPL franchise retention – With the retention deadline growing closer, Team Lucknow are scrambling for options before they announce their retention picks ahead of the IPL 2022 auction. With KL Rahul all set to be their marquee pick and captain as per reports, Lucknow will look to add two more pieces to the puzzle before heading into the auction. Lucknow are currently in negotiations with a host of released players with the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Marcus Stoinis and Ishan Kishan mooted by reports. Follow Insidesport.in for all IPL 2022 auction updates.
IPL 2022: Lucknow IPL franchise retention – KL Rahul confirmed, check who will be other two?
Lucknow’s IPL franchise have made moves in the build-up to the IPL 2022 mega auction and have bagged Team India vice-captain KL Rahul as their new captain. Rahul has been the premier run-getter in the last four seasons of the IPL with the Punjab Kings and will become Lucknow’s first pick in the draft before the IPL 2022 Auction.
While the franchise were in talks with Rashid Khan, it is believed that Lucknow are opting for a different approach, with reports linking them to uncapped spinner Ravi Bishnoi and Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Bishnoi has played under KL Rahul at Punjab Kings, while is an uncapped player, meaning that Lucknow will be able to save on their purse before heading into the auction. Marcus Stoinis meanwhile is one of the most destructive all-rounders in the shortest format of the game, and his versatility aid the team in finding balance.
IPL 2022: Lucknow IPL franchise retention – KL Rahul confirmed, check who will be other two?
Furthermore, reports suggest that Lucknow have fallen behind in the chase for Rashid Khan to Ahmedabad who remain favourites to sign the Afghanistan spin wizard. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, David Warner and Ishan Kishan are all rumoured with a switch but no concrete suggestions have emerged regarding the same. Lucknow can spend a maximum of 33 Cr on three draft picks, hence another marquee arrival alongside KL Rahul seems unlikely.
The RPSG group-owned Lucknow meanwhile have already roped in Andy Flower as their head coach, while two-time IPL winning captain Gautam Gambhir joins in as mentor. The arrivals of KL Rahul and Bishnoi make sense with the appointment of Flower, who previously worked as an assistant to Anil Kumble at Punjab Kings.
