Rahul agreed that leaving was a difficult choice, but he was curious about what more was in store for him.
The retention list revealed by each franchise before to the mega auction for the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) highlighted a significant feature in which players occasionally choose not to be retained. Sunrisers Hyderabad lost David Warner and Rashid Khan, while Punjab Kings lost their skipper, KL Rahul. Despite a stellar record as a batsman for the team, Rahul chose to leave Punjab at the conclusion of the IPL 2021 season, and on Monday, he explained why.
Every IPL fan was taken aback by Punjab's retention list, which included just two players: Mayank Agarwal and uncapped Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh. Rahul joined Punjab in 2018 and scored over 500 runs in each of the four seasons, a record in itself, averaging well over 50 and striking at a strike rate of more than 130.
Rahul revealed to Red Bull Cricket that it was a difficult choice, but he wanted to discover what else was in store for him.
“I have been with them for four years and I’ve had a great run with them. Just wanted to see what’s in store for me and if there’s a new journey for me. It was a tough call obviously. I have been attached to Punjab for a long time. I wanted to see if I can do something else,” he said.
He was then selected as the Lucknow Super Giants' draft pick before to the auction, and he was also made captain.
PBKS head coach Anil Kumble said on Star Sports during the IPL retention list announcement that the franchise wanted to keep him, but it was the India batter who decided to quit the squad.
He said, "Obviously we wanted to retain him, that is one of the reasons we chose him as captain two years back. But he decided to go into the auction. We respect that, we honour his decision. It's the player's prerogative."
Following Mark Wood’s Injury And Subesquent Withdrawal From The 2022 Season Of The IPL, Bangladeshi Pacer Taskin Ahmed Was The Hot Favourite To Join Lucknow Super Giants As His Replacement, Before The BCB scuppered his plans.
Before the commencement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, the Lucknow Super Giants were trying to recruit Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed as a substitute for the ailing Mark Wood. The franchise, however, would be unable to sign the fast bowler since the Bangladesh Cricket Board has declined to award him a No-Objection Certificate to participate in the competition.
LSG approached Taskin with an offer to participate in the IPL 2022 since he was deemed available for the club throughout the season and would have miss the two-match Test series against South Africa, which begins on March 31. Bangladesh is presently on tour in South Africa, and Taskin is part of the group.
The Lucknow Super Giants have approached the Bangladesh Cricket Board about recruiting Taskin as Wood's successor. However, the board is not yet prepared to issue a NOC to the fast bowler. On Monday (March 21), a BCB official confirmed the news, saying Taskin has already notified the Lucknow franchise that he would decline the offer owing to international obligations.
''Since we have two important series like the ongoing home tour of South Africa and the home series against India, we feel it won't be right for him to take part in the IPL,'' BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters on Monday.
''We have spoken with Taskin and he has understood the whole situation. He informed the franchise that he is not playing the IPL and will be available for the South Africa tour and later will return back home," he added.
This would come as a body blow to the Lucknow Super Giants, who paid a mammoth Rs 7.5 crore during the IPL 2022 super auction last month to get England bowler Mark Wood for the upcoming season. However, due to an injury, Wood has been pulled out of the event, leaving Lucknow scrambling for a replacement as the tournament approaches. Taskin Ahmed was mentor Gautam Gambhir’s preferred choice as his replacement, as he was quoted as saying: “I want Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed in the team and that is for the whole season. If he agrees to the offer, Taskin will have to leave for India before the next two Tests against South Africa.”
Lucknow Super Giants will kick off their IPL 2022 campaign on March 28 against fellow debutants Gujarat Titans before facing Chennai Super Kings on March 31.
Delhi Capitals Fans Rejoice As Anrich Nortje Lands In Mumbai Despite Initial Uncertainty Over His Availability This Season Due To Fitness Issues
The Delhi Capitals (DC) will breathe a sigh of relief now that South African speedster Anrich Nortje has arrived in Mumbai ahead of the Indian Premier League's 2022 season (IPL). Nortje's participation in the early stages of the T20 League was doubtful because he hasn't played international cricket since the T20 World Cup 2021 owing to a recurrent hip injury.
His absence from South Africa's team for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh raised concerns about his complete fitness, but his appearance in India provided pleasure to DC supporters. Nortje shared a photo of himself and his wife Micaela from a flight after arrival in Mumbai, where the entire season will take place.
Nortje was the Capitals' lone overseas player retained ahead of the big auction for INR 6.5 crore, following a pair of outstanding seasons with the 2020 finalists. Nortje, together with Avesh Khan and fellow countryman Kagiso Rabada, made a formidable pace assault. With the two of them no longer with the Capitals, the 28-year-old will spearhead a pace attack that includes Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Lungi Ngidi, and Khaleel Ahmed.
It is also be excellent news for DC team management, given they are already expecting to be without their Australian combo of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh for the first few games of the IPL 2022. While Warner, who was not included to the limited-overs team for the Pakistan series, will be allowed to play from April 6, Marsh, who will arrive in India after the four limited-overs games in Pakistan, will have to serve a three-day quarantine before taking part in the IPL.
The Capitals will open their season on March 27 against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
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