Auction is important for franchises, 50% of the job is done on auction table: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir, former India player and mentor of the newly added IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants feels that the auction is an important phase for any team if they aim to win the tournament. Gambhir opined that even if the management picks a good bunch of players for the side, their performance is what matters and nothing else.

Lucknow Super Giants have had an amazing run in their debut IPL season, and they’re just a few steps away from being qualified for the playoffs. Each and every player on the team has given their best for the side, and the unity among the players has worked out really well for LSG. LSG has been in the upper half of the points table since the beginning. Though Lucknow are tied with their fellow debutants Gujarat Titans with 16 points in the kitty, their higher NRR has kept them atop.

While speaking to Star Sports ahead of the clash against GT in the 57^th match of the IPL 2022, Gambhir said: “The auction is very important. 50% of the job is done on the auction table. It helps the management when you pick a good side. But as long as they don’t perform on the field, it doesn’t matter even if you pick the best possible players. The franchise is new but the players are not new. This is not an excuse as all the players are experienced.”

No better opportunity than playing for a new franchise and leaving a legacy from the start: Gautam Gambhir

LSG entered the league with an aim to prove something. Though their team looked weak on papers, they emerged as one of the most deserving contenders for the title. Gambhir believes that there is no specific player behind LSG’s success, and instead credited the whole team and their efforts.

“It helps all players come in with a clean slate and without any baggage. There is no better opportunity than playing for a new franchise and leaving a legacy from the start. The biggest secret to our success is that we have just one monster, and that is the franchise, LSG. There is no hero worship. In T20s and in the IPL, you can’t brush things under the carpet. The day you start feeling that you are doing extremely well, your downfall starts. Still a lot to improve,” he concluded.