Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill set to join Ahmedabad franchise

One of the two new IPL franchises- the Ahmedabad IPL franchise has set their eyes to sign Hardik Pandya and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan but surprisingly are also eyeing the former KKR opening batter Shubman Gill for the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League.

The PTI was the first to report on January 10, 2022, that Hardik Pandya is all set to captain the Ahmedabad franchise for their maiden IPL season and they also finalized Rashid Khan in their squad, otherwise every other team wants such kind of a leg spinner in their team.

Subsribe To Our Official YouTube
ESPNcricinfo has learned that Ahmedabad have decided to pay both Hardik and Rashid the same amount - INR 15 crore. It is also learnt that Hardik is likely to take charge as Ahmedabad captain, a first experience for the allrounder in the IPL. The third player - Gill - will be paid INR 7 crore. This means the franchise will go into the auction in February with a purse of INR 53 crore.
ESPNcricinfo reported that Ahmedabad have decided to pay both Hardik and Rashid the same amount – INR 15 crore. Ahmedabad’s third choice player – Shubman Gill – will be paid INR 7 crore, which implies that the franchise will go into the auction in February with a purse of INR 53 crore.

Ahmedabad preferred young India opener Shubman Gill for the upcoming season of Indian Premier League. Their first third-choice was Ishan Kishan but that deal didn’t work out and they finalized Shubman Gill, who has the potential for being the skipper as well.

“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,” a senior IPL official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

IPL RETENTION LIST – MI, CSK, DC, RCB, KKR, RR, PBKS, & SRH retain Players – MS Dhoni – Virat Kohli – KL Rahul – Rashid Khan

The Ahmedabad franchise, which was bought by CVC Capital Partners, has also finalised its coaching staff – they will be led by former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra, and former South Africa batter and head coach Gary Kirsten. Former England batter Vikram Solanki, who is currently Surrey’s head coach, will be the team director for upcoming season of IPL.

By Abhishek Pandey

Non-Aspiring future engineer having many aspirations in life. A lover of cricket and football, an admirer of the GOATs in both games. Solving the jigsaw puzzles of life in my own way to find the treasure of peace. There is only one quote that keeps me going- 'There is no way for being happy, being happy is the only way.'