IPL 2022: Ahmedabad team confirms draft picks ahead of mega auction

The stage is set for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to introduce its two new teams, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. The deadline to announce their draft picks was January 22. However, the names have been finalised a day before itself as the franchises announced them soon after the second ODI between India and South Africa.

As far as Ahmedabad are concerned, they have signed all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan and young batter Shubman Gill. All the three players will be featuring for their second franchise in their IPL careers. While Hardik played only for the Mumbai Indians ever since making his debut in the T20 league in 2015, Rashid Khan donned the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gill, on the other hand, featured for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

As far as their signing amount is concerned, Ahmedabad franchise has shelled out Rs 15 crore for Hardik and Rashid both. Reportedly, the latter had left the SRH camp for being the second retained player behind Kane Williamson and Ahmedabad might have compensated him enough despite not being the prime retainer. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has earned a contract of Rs 8 crore for the upcoming season.

Hardik Pandya set to lead Ahmedabad

Reports were already doing the rounds that Hardik Pandya will lead the Ahmedabad franchise in the upcoming IPL season and the same has been confirmed now. This will be huge for the all-rounder who has struggled for fitness over the last couple of years. He didn’t bowl for MI in the last two IPL seasons and his poor form with the bat possibly led to the five-time champions not retaining him.

As for Gill, KKR had some really good players in their line-up and hence, wasn’t retained. He is a solid opening batter and will straight away slot in at the top of the order for Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan is a big signing for the new franchise as the leg-spinner from Afghanistan is one of the most economical and wicket-taking bowlers going around in the T20 circles.