Reports: Ravi Bishnoi, Marcus Stoinis likely to join KL Rahul at Lucknow ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction

In what can be called a major development, Marcus Stoinis and Ravi Bishnoi are likely to join the Lucknow-based franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction. As per several reports, the RPSG-owned franchise has also bagged KL Rahul’s services as captain. The right-handed batter will now get to join forces with Stoinis and Bishnoi in the Lucknow camp.

For the unversed, the two franchises, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, can pick a maximum of three players from the list of non-retained cricketers. Notably, each franchise can make only one foreign pick. As far as Lucknow are concerned, former Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul was reportedly their first-choice pick. It was also learned that they eyed bagging Rashid Khan’s services.

Lucknow seems to have failed to get Rashid Khan on board

However, it seems like they couldn’t finalize a deal with the Afghanistan leg-spinner. Hence, they decided to utilize their other two cards to get Bishnoi and Stoinis on board. Meanwhile, the major report was carried out by veteran journalist K Shriniwas Rao.

“Ravi Bishnoi & Marcus Stoinis could join KL Rahul at Lucknow. I’m a bit surprised they didn’t push for Chahal or Rashid. But considering Bishnoi is uncapped, it’s understandable. They save money ahead of the auction,” tweeted the journalist. Notably, Bishnoi and Stoinis were released by Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals respectively ahead of the 2022 edition mega auction.

As Bishnoi hasn’t played for India so far, Lucknow would have gotten the leg-spinner’s services at a comparatively lesser rate. On the other hand, Stoinis is a proven star of this format and the Australian all-rounder would like to shine in Lucknow colours.

Meanwhile, IPL 2022 is set to be a gala competition as for the very first time since 2011, 10 teams will participate in the competition. A mega auction is slated to take place next month which would see teams going under massive revamps. Besides Lucknow, Ahmedabad is the other new team in the picture.

Former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya will reportedly lead the team and Rashid Khan is also likely to sign a contract with the franchise.