Reports: Lucknow franchise eyeing Marcus Stoinis and Kagiso Rabada as backup options for Rashid Khan

As per the latest development, the Lucknow-based franchise has kept Australia’s Marcus Stoinis and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada as backup options if they fail to get leg-spinner Rashid Khan ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auctions. For the unversed, the two new IPL teams, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, can pick a maximum of three players from the list of non-retained players.

Many reports have suggested that Lucknow have already roped in KL Rahul as the skipper of their team. They are also eyeing the services of former Sunrisers Hyderabad leg-spinner Rashid Khan. However, with Ahmedabad also in contention, Lucknow will have a tough time in getting both Rahul and Rashid on board. Considering the same, the new franchise has kept Stoinis and Rabada as back-up options.

Rashid Khan in talks with both teams

The major report was carried out by Times of India. It has been learned that both franchises are looking to bag Rashid’s services. The leg-spinner is also in talks with both sides. However, the Ahmedabad franchise is a tad ahead in this race as Lucknow have selected Rahl as their first-choice pick.

Notably, the two new franchises will have to give three names (two Indians and one overseas) before the mega auction which is likely to be held in Bengaluru on February 11-12. Hence, the team bagging Rashid’s services can’t pick another foreign player. Hence, Lucknow have kept Stoinis and Rabada as backups if they fail to get Rashid.

Notably, both players were released from Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2022 and are proven stars of this format. Leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Rahul Chahar are also in demand as both the grounds, at Ahmedabad and Lucknow, have big dimensions. Hence, wrist spinners would enjoy bowling in such venues.

Meanwhile, TOI also reported that Hardik Pandya is set to lead the Ahmedabad team and his former Mumbai Indians teammate Ishan Kishan can also earn a contract from the side. Sources close to the daily also said that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are viewing former Delhi Capitals batter Shreyas Iyer as their captain for the forthcoming season. Hence, it would be interesting to see how all the ten squads will look like.