IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya Named Ahmedabad Captain, Kl Rahul To Lead Lucknow Franchise

IPL will have 10 teams instead of 8, Ahmedabad and Lucknow are two new franchises

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was announced the captain of the Ahmedabad franchise and on the other hand, KL Rahul who was earlier the captain of Punjab Kings was announced the captain of Lucknow Franchise.

Pandya who has won multiple titles with Mumbai Indian was picked by the Ahmedabad franchise for Rs 15 crore. The franchise also picked Rashid Khan for Rs 15 crore and Indian batsman Shubman Gill for Rs 8 crore.

Vikram Solanki has been appointed as Ahmedabad's Director of Cricket while Hardik Pandya will be leading the franchise. Gary Kirsten will serve as the batting coach and mentor of the Ahmedabad franchise while Ashish Nehra has been appointed as the head coach.

Team Lucknow on the other handpicked KL Rahul for Rs 17 crore. Along with that, the franchise signed Marcus Stoinis for 9.2 crores and they also signed Ravi Bishnoi for Rs 4 crore.

After their three purchases, Ahmedabad is left with Rs 52 crore while team Lucknow is left with an amount of Rs 58 crore for the upcoming mega IPL auction.

Rahul at Rs 17 crore for team Lucknow is the most expensive player among the 10 teams.

Earlier, IPL franchises Ahmedabad and Lucknow were asked to submit the list of their draft picks by January 22. IPL chairman Brijesh Patel had confirmed the development to ANI.

IPL's two new teams -- Sanjiv Goenka RPSG Group for the Lucknow franchise and CVC Capital's Ahmedabad team had received formal clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The formal clearance was given after a meeting of the IPL Governing Council.

Brijesh Patel had also confirmed that the IPL auction would be held in Bengaluru on February 12 Aand 13. "Yes, the auction will be held in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13," said Patel.