IPL 2022: A Complete Breakdown Of Lucknow Super Giants' Squad
'There's talk on the street it sounds so familiar, Great expectations everybody's watching you, People you meet they all seem to know you, Even your old friends treat you like you're something new.'
Johnny, there's a New Kid In Town with the name Lucknow Super Giants. The team promises to be something new, coming into the IPL with a fresh approach.
The new IPL franchise began the auction process by drafting in three players - KL Rahul(17cr), Marcus Stoinis(10cr), and Ravi Bishnoi(4cr) - who cost Lucknow 31 crore of the total 90 crore purse limit.
LSG added 18 players more in the Mega Auction for the rest of the 59 crores, leaving nothing in the purse. Lucknow got seven uncapped players for 11.5 crores while 11 capped players were bought for 47.5 crores.
Super Giants' most expensive player in the Auction was an uncapped fast bowler - Avesh Khan, who was bought for 10 crores. The next expensive buy was West Indian allrounder Jason Holder for 8.75 crores.
New Kid, Fresh Approach
When the rest of the teams were stacking up quality batters and bowlers, Lucknow banked on multi-skilled players to make their playing XI and they succeeded in doing that.
Apart from the top three, the rest in their lineup can roll their arms. It gives an immense bowling depth to the team and variety to counter any opposition batter/team. And even in the top three, there are two are wicketkeeper batters.
However, one has to lose something to gain another and LSG has gambled on missing an out-and-out power hitter in the squad, especially at the backend of the innings. But it doesn't mean Lucknow's batting isn't at par. Given the confidence in bowling, a better batting depth, KL Rahul is likely to play with more freedom in this season while Manish Pandey does the anchoring job.
Marcus Stoinis is a powerful striker and Jason Holder is also a hard hitter of the cricket ball. The duo comes in the second half of the innings to keep the attack going.
Krunal Pandya gives a good left-hand variety in batting. K Gowtham comes in with similar characteristics only reversed - off-break bowler and righty batter.
Avesh Khan, Mark Wood, and Holder are bowlers who complement each other throughout the game as all of them bowl in at least two phases of the game. In between, Ravi Bishnoi is a steal at 4 crores, who gives immense quality in the spin department.
Lucknow has also managed to get a backup of each position. Dushmanta Chameera and Ankit Rajpoot add to the pace bowling bench strength. Shahbaaz Nadeem is a quality spinner in the backup.
Kyle Mayers is someone who opens the innings, hits pace, and can roll his arms when required. Evin Lewis is another dynamic West Indian batter who adds immense bench strength.
Lucknow Super Giants have tried to cover up each position through multi-skilled players that could be the future of T20s. But will the gamble work in the upcoming season? Or will the Lucknow Super Giants remain 'just another new kid in town'.
Lucknow IPL 2022 Squad: KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Avesh Khan, Mark Wood, Ravi Bishnoi, Ankit Rajpoot, Dushmanta Chameera, Shahbaz Nadeem, Manan Vohra, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Kyle Mayers, Karan Sharma, Evin Lewis, Mayank Yadav
Also Read: IPL 2022 Auction Overview List Of All Players & Teams