IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill set to join Ahmedabad franchise

The two newly added franchise Ahmedabad and Lucknow has started retaining the players from the pool ahead of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. Moreover, the mega auction of IPL 2022 is just a few weeks away which is likely to be held in February.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given January 22 as the final deadline to announce their retentions. Considering the recent reports, the Mumbai based all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the Afghan leggie Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill are set to join the Ahmedabad franchise ahead of IPL 2022.

CVC Capitals, the group that owns the Ahmedabad franchise will have a sum of INR 90 crores for the upcoming mega auction as per the rules. Moreover, they have also roped the former Indian bowler Ashish Nehra who will serve as the bowling coach with Gary Kirsten as the head coach of the side. 

Hardik Pandya is likely to lead Ahmedabad:

Considering the reports from ESPN Cricinfo, the Baroda all-rounder is likely to be the skipper of the Ahmedabad based franchise ahead of IPL 2022. If Hardik Pandya is named as the skipper, it will be his first team that he was leading across many leagues he has played.

However, the Indian all-rounder didn't have a good time in IPL 2021 and also in the T20 World Cup which made Mumbai Indians make the way for the youngster.

But the impact he created would not be forgotten by the Men in Blue as they would rope him if he gets into the mega auction. The Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan would be the second retention made by Ahmedabad according to the reports.

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Shubman Gill was expected that might be retained by Kolkata Knight Riders but there were more options like Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine and a few more that made the Kolkata franchise let him go in the mega auction.

However, if the reports are to be believed Shubman Gill will be with Ahmedabad as they have retained him for INR 7 crores for IPL 2022. Moreover, recent reports from the other sources suggest that a senior official from IPL has told to BCCI, "Ahmedabad has decided on its players and accordingly informed the BCCI about their draft picks.

Hardik, Rashid and Shubman are the three choices. They wanted Ishan Kishan badly but it is understood that Ishan is more interested in going back to the auction and there is a high chance that MI might buy him at a premium price."