'He consistently has been a phenomenal run-scorer' - Gautam Gambhir backs KL Rahul's signing as Lucknow skipper
Lucknow has roped in KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, and Ravi Bishnoi ahead of the mega auction.
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The RPSG Group-owned Lucknow franchise has signed KL Rahul for a whopping amount of 17 crores. This is the joint-highest figure for players signing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. In 2018, Virat Kohli was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a similar amount ahead of the mega auction. Rahul will also captain the side in the upcoming season.
Apart from the right-hander, the franchisee has also signed Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for INR 9.2 crores and former India U19 leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for INR 4 crores. The franchisee will enter the IPL auction with INR 59.89 crores in their purse as they have acquired the services of Rahul, Stoinis, and Bishnoi. The IPL allowed signing three players for new teams ahead of the auction.
Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the RPSG Group explained the signing of each of these players and added that they wanted players who can serve the team for three to eight years.
“KL is not only an outstanding batsman but also a great wicketkeeper,” Sanjiv Goenka told Star Sports. “Marcus is a great finisher, a good bowler, and a phenomenal fielder. Ravi brings a unique dimension to the spin department and is an exceptional fielder. We want players to be here for 3-4-5-6-7-8 years.”
Gautam Gambhir praises the signed cricketers
Team mentor Gautam Gambhir has praised the players signed by the franchise and pointed out the qualities of every cricketer. He started off praising KL Rahul for his leadership qualities. The 2012 ad 2014 IPL winning captain for Kolkata Knight Riders added that Stoinis can bat in the middle order and finish the games.
“He’s a work in progress, he keeps, he opens the batting. He consistently has been a phenomenal run-scorer. And what’s better than someone who gives you three things?” said Gambhir on KL Rahul.
“Stoinis, purely from a finisher’s point of view, since we didn’t know if Ben Stokes was going to be in the auction or not. And Stoinis can bat in the middle or finish the games too,” the two-time IPL winning skipper added.
He concluded by praising uncapped leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for his wicket-taking ability
“Most exciting prospects in the IPL. He is a complete wicket-taking option,” concluded the former India opening batter.
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