The new Lucknow franchise in the IPL has signed on KL Rahul for a fee of INR 17 crores, making the batter the joint-highest paid player in the league’s history. A similar sum was commanded by former India captain Virat Kohli when the Royal Challengers Bangalore retained him ahead of the IPL 2018 auction.
Rahul, it was confirmed, will captain a side that’ll include Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (signed for INR 9.2 crores) and uncapped legspinner Ravi Bishnoi (signed for INR 4 crores). The Lucknow team will head to the IPL 2022 auction with a purse of INR 59.80 crores.
KL is not only an outstanding batsman but also a great wicketkeeper,” Sanjiv Goenka, head of the RPSG Group that owns the franchise told Star Sports. “Marcus is a great finisher, a good bowler and a phenomenal fielder. Ravi brings a unique dimension to the spin department and is an exceptional fielder. We want players to be here for 3-4-5-6-7-8 years.
Speaking to Star Sports, tean mentor Gautam Gambhir added: “He’s a work in progress, he keeps, he opens the batting.”
“He consistently has been a phenomenal run-scorer. And what’s better than someone who gives you three things?”
Meanwhile, as was reported already, the Ahmedabad franchise has signed Hardik Pandya (INR 15 crores), Rashid Khan (INR 15 crores) and Shubman Gill (INR 8 crores) and will have a purse of INR 52 crores to spend at the auction table. Pandya will captain the team.
The two new teams were allowed to sign three players each before the mega auction, currently scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13.
