Tata IPL 2022: Lucknow rope in 7 All-rounders and superb bowling options

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) full squad analysis after IPL 2022 Auction.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) full squad detail after IPL 2022 Auction. (©BCCI/IPL)

The two-day event of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega-auction saw a successful climax on February 13 in Bengaluru as teams finished up taking their choice of players. The mega-auction got more intense and exciting with the addition of two new franchises Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

LSG, which saw cricketing brains like Gautam Gambhir and their head coach Andy Flower on the auction table, effected some terrific signings in the two-day event in Bengaluru.

Ahead of the mega-auction, they roped in KL Rahul, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi to set their base clear.

While Lucknow roped in KL Rahul as their captaincy option for a whopping INR 17 crores, all-rounder Stoinis was picked at INR 9.25 crores. On the other hand, the googly master Ravi Bishnoi was fetched at INR 4 crores.

The mega-auction ahead of the grand tournament fairly went in favour of LSG as they looked completely clear about their signings from day one. They didn't go for every second player and stuck to their plans till the very last, which saw them pulling in a decent squad at the end of the auction.

On that note, let's have a look at the overall squad Lucknow Super Giants have got in the mega-auction ahead of the grand tournament.

Lucknow Super Giants IPL 2022 Squad Breakdown

KL Rahul (17 Cr), Quinton de Kock (6.75 Cr), Manish Pandey (4.60 Cr), Manan Vohra (20 lakh), Ayush Badoni (20 lakh), Evin Lewis (2 Cr), Marcus Stoinis (9.2 Cr), Jason Holder (8.75 Cr), Deepak Hooda (5.75 Cr), Krunal Pandya (8.25 Cr), Krishnappa Gowtham (90 lakh), Kyle Mayers (50 lakh), Karan Sharma (20 lakh), Ravi Bishnoi (4 Cr), Mark Wood (7.50 Cr), Avesh Khan (10 Cr), Ankit Singh Rajpoot (50 lakh), Dushmanta Chameera (2 Cr), Shahbaz Nadeem (50 lakh), Mohsin Khan (20 lakh), Mayank Yadav (20 lakh)

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LSG Wicketkeepers - KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock

Lucknow Super Giants have got the two most versatile wicketkeeper batters in their squad in the form of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. The duo will most probably open the innings for Lucknow Super Giants if one goes by the statement of their owners.

The left-right opening combination will do wonders for this franchise as they could prove to be the most destructive opening pair in the history of IPL, given their batting records in the cash-rich league.

The South African wicketkeeper batter, de Kock who was part of Mumbai Indians earlier can be very effective in the powerplay and it will provide the luxury for Rahul to take his time and play the way he wants to on the given day.

LSG Key Batters - Manish Pandey, Manan Vohra, Ayush Badoni, Evin Lewis

LSG have gone in with four proper batting options apart from KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. Manish Pandey, among all, is likely to get a nod to be included in the playing XI, while Manan Vohra, Ayush Badoni and Evin Lewis will remain with the team as backup openers.

Pandey has been part of many franchises earlier but couldn't justify his price and batting position there. Now with Lucknow Super Giants, he will be looking to make a new beginning in the IPL this year.

LSG All-Rounders- Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Kyle Mayers, Karan Sharma

Lucknow have got a total of 7 all-rounders in their squad, the most for any franchise in the IPL 2022 mega-auction. A great deal? Well, it looks like one.

The Indian all-rounder, Deepak Hooda, who recently made his debut in national colours against West Indies will share a key responsibility in the middle-order of Lucknow Super Giants followed by the Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Jason Holder, Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham could further strengthen the batting order of the franchise. Apart from batting, all of them can offer something to the team with the ball as well.

Kyle Mayers, on the other hand, is likely to be a backup opener for the team. The only concern with the middle-order of Lucknow Super Giants is the lack of proper middle-order backup players. What if Hooda fails? What if it isn't Stoinis' day? What if Holder fails to drive the ship? "What and if" will remain the question with this middle-order of LSG.

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LSG Bowlers- Ravi Bishnoi, Mark Wood, Avesh Khan, Ankit Singh Rajpoot, Dushmantha Chameera, Shahbaz Nadeem, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav

Lucknow Super Giants got their hands on Avesh Khan, the second-highest wicket-taker of IPL 2021 for INR 10 Crores. Worth it? Definitely yes. The Indian pacer has impressed one and all with his impressive bowling in the previous edition of the tournament.

Mark Wood is Lucknow's other master pick in the mega auction. Avesh Khan along with Wood would be a sight to watch in IPL, not as appetising as Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer for Mumbai Indians, but definitely no less either.

Khan and Wood could prove to be one of the most destructive bowling combinations of the season. Ankit Rajpoot and Dushmantha Chameera are likely to be the backup players as Avesh and Wood are likely to be in the starting XI of LSG.

Ravi Bishnoi will handle the spin attack from the other end with Shahbaz Nadeem being his backup in the squad. Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan have also been roped in by Lucknow Super Giants as backup bowlers.

IPL 2022 kicks off in India on March 27. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that the venues for the premier cricketing league could be Mumbai and Pune and the tournament will be held without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The detailed schedule of the tournament is yet to be announced.

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