The IPL 2022 Mega Auction is scheduled to happen next month in Bengaluru. Ahead of the big event, the BCCI has allowed two new franchises – Ahmedabad and Lucknow – to sign three players each. While neither of the two teams have made an official announcement yet, reports have surfaced claiming that KL Rahul will captain Lucknow, while Hardik Pandya will lead the Ahmedabad-based franchise.
Rahul has captained the Punjab Kings before in the Indian Premier League. He recently captained the Indian cricket team in the second match of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship series against the South African cricket team at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The wicket-keeper batter will also lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup Super League series against the South African cricket team.
Thus, Rahul will have a good amount of captaincy experience when he leads Lucknow in IPL 2022. On the other side, Hardik Pandya has never captained in the IPL before. Some fans were surprised to read the reports that Pandya will play the skipper’s role for the Ahmedabad-based franchise.
Nikhil Chopra reacts to reports of Hardik Pandya becoming Ahmedabad captain
Former Indian cricket team off-spinner Nikhil Chopra recently appeared on Khelneeti, where he discussed the reports of Ahmedabad naming Hardik Pandya as their captain. Here’s what Nikhil said:
“I feel Hardik wanted to become captain. He must have had a discussion with the franchise. Maybe he doesn’t want to play under anyone’s shadow now and build his own team. The thought is good. Hopefully, Hardik will also rediscover his form soon.”
Nikhil Chopra mentioned that ups and downs are part of every player’s life. He believed that Ahmedabad team owners must have considered his past performances for the Mumbai Indians before deciding to include him in the leadership group.
