KL Rahul, Lucknow Super Giants skipper announced his entry into the team’s bio-bubble on Wednesday morning ahead of IPL 2022. The right-handed batter senses a massive opportunity for the newly-added franchise and is excited to get started.
Along with the Gujarat Titans, the Lucknow Super Giants are a newly-added franchise, making the IPL a 10-team affair this season. Before the IPL 2022 mega auction in February, the franchise owners had drafted KL Rahul, Ravi Bishnoi, and Marcus Stoinis. Their squad strength is currently 21.
KL Rahul Feels Next Two Months Will Be Very Special For Lucknow Super Giants
In a clip by the franchise’s official account on Instagram, the captain hopes to finish his three-day quarantine period and meet the players. The 29-year-old wants the franchise to make an impact straightaway in the tournament and win as many games as possible.
He stated: “Hey everyone, KL here. Just got into the Lucknow Super Giants’ bubble this morning. Really hoping these three quarantine days can finish quickly so I can get out and meet the squad and get to know all of them. The next two months are going to be very special. It’s going to be a lot of fun, working with all the guys.”
He added: “We all are going to try and work together, towards winning. The new season gives us a great opportunity as a new franchise to do something special and everyone on the team is very excited to do that. Can’t wait for the season and can’t wait for all of us to get on the park and win games together.”
The Karnataka-born cricketer is the joint highest-paid player in the edition, earning 17 crores. Pace bowler Avesh Khan was the most expensive player for the Super Giants as the franchise shelled out 10 crores.
KL Rahul Was The Orange Cap Winner In IPL 2020
Meanwhile, the opener KL Rahul has been prolific with the bat in the last four years. He has scored at least over 500 runs and ended amongst the top three run-getters. The former Punjab Kings captain notably finished with the Orange Cap in the 2020 edition, hammering 670 runs in 14 games at 55.83. The Lucknow Super Giants will open their campaign against another new franchise Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
KL Rahul has played 94 matches in IPL and has amassed 3273 runs at an average of 47.43. In IPL 2021, KL Rahul smashed 626 runs in 13 matches and was the third-highest run-getter, but unfortunately, failed to inspire the Punjab Kings side to a title. KL Rahul has been the best opener in IPL since 2018 and scored 659, 593, 670, and 626 runs in the past four seasons, respectively.
Mark Wood, Avesh Khan and Jason Holder will handle the Lucknow Super Giants pace department while Ravi Bishnoi along with Shahbaz Nadeem, K Gowtham and Krunal Pandya offer lots of variety in the spin arena.
Though they have batting strength in skipper KL Rahul, overseas openers Evin Lewis and Quinton de Kock, the lack of another experienced Indian batter may hurt them. Jason Holder and Dushmantha Chameera are the two all-rounders KL Rahul led Lucknow Super Giants will bank upon.
Manish Pandey didn’t have a good time in IPL 2021 while Manan Vohra, with sporadic appearances in the tournament, hasn`t shined on a consistent basis. Deepak Hooda can also chip in with some off-spin too.