'He is exemplary but one player does not make up a team' - PBKS owner Ness Wadia opens up on retaining KL Rahul ahead of IPL 2022

Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia recently opened up on the franchise’s chance to retain their current skipper KL Rahul. Certain reports suggested the likelihood of Rahul considering to part ways with the franchise, however, this is the first time when a word in this regard has come from a reliable source.

Wadia did not rule out the possibility of Rahul not being retained but did not state anything in certain terms either. “There are many players apart from KL Rahul, firstly. One player does not make up a team, I’ve always said that. Having said that, every player has a value and one thing I will say is we’ve learnt to adjust and adapt throughout. Any team that hinges too much on one player, that does prove beyond a point a liability”, said Wadia in an interview to NDTV 24×7.

IPL from 2022 will be a ten-team affair, with two new franchises – Ahmedabad and Lucknow – being added to the existing eight teams. Further, the next edition will be preceded by a mega auction that would see all the players being shuffled across the franchises, with only a handful of retentions allowed. The BCCI is yet to give the details regarding the same.

Speaking further on Rahul’s chances of remaining with the franchise, Wadia said: “’I think KL is exemplary in anything and everything he has done. The way he has fought back after going through a lot of issues two years ago – he’s one of the only cricketers who is consistent. But like I said cricket is about 11 team members, not one. As far as the right-to-match or retention (is concerned), whatever happens, we’ll be ready for it. That’s the IPL – we’ve learnt to adjust, adapt and go forward and keep smiling.’

Punjab Kings have finished at an identical 6th spot in the tournament in each one of the last four editions, of which Rahul has led only two (2020 and 2021). While his captaincy stint has not reaped much success, Rahul has been the league’s most prolific run-scorers. He bagged the Orange Cap for scoring most runs in 2020, while he ended as the third-leading run-getter in the recent edition.