IPL 2022: Ahmedabad Franchise Reportedly Draft in Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan

In another major development ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, the Ahmedabad franchise has reportedly drafted some key players. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill have all been drafted into the team. Ahmedabad is likely to be led by Hardik Pandya. The report stated that Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan have been paid Rs 15 crore. Shubman Gill has been paid Rs 7 crore. The deadline for announcing the drafted players is January 22. There has been no official word from the Ahmedabad franchise on this.

Apart from the players, there are reportedly major announcements in the backroom staff. Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten will be the coaches of the Ahmedabad franchise. Vikram Solanki, former England cricket batsman and Surrey’s head coach, will be the team director. Nehra, Kirsten, and Solanki had earlier worked together in the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise.

Ahmedabad Franchise Pull Off a Major Coup in IPL 2022?

With Hardik Pandya as the reported captain, the Ahmedabad franchise may have already gotten their IPL Mega Auction off to a great start. Hardik has been one of the prominent all-rounders in the Mumbai Indians side for three to four years. In the last couple of years, Pandya has not bowled after suffering a stress fracture on his back in the 2018 Asia Cup. He did not bowl in IPL 2020 and 2021 and this impacted his batting as well.

Read – IPL 2022: Ahmedabad, Lucknow given deadline until January 22

On the other hand, Rashid Khan’s omission from the Sunrisers Hyderabad side shocked many fans. Rashid played in 76 IPL games for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The legspinner picked up 93 wickets at an economy rate of less than seven. His brilliant record and match-winning performances with the ball made many believe he might be the automatic retention in the Sunrisers Hyderabad side. But, when they chose Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, and Umran Malik, the decision raised eyebrows. The reasons are muddled, but it is believed that Rashid wanted a bigger prize and wanted to be the first pick.

Different rules for Ahmedabad, Lucknow

Shubman Gill, on the other hand, played for the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2018, having been bought for Rs 1.8 crore. Gill, who was part of the ICC Under-19 World Cup triumph, played some good knocks for KKR but he was not retained. Kolkata Knight Riders have retained Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, and Varun Chakravarthy.

Ahmedabad and Lucknow were given an auction purse of Rs 90 crore. But, unlike other teams, they can only retain three players with only one overseas slot. The other teams can retain four with two overseas slots.