New Delhi: Two brand new teams, Ahmedabad and Lucknow are all set to make their debut in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). From IPL 2022, the tournament will now be a 10-team affair.
Meanwhile, a major update related to the Ahmedabad franchise has come to the fore. Mumbai Indians' hard-hitting all-rounder Hardik Pandya might be seen leading the Ahmedabad team in the 15th season of the Indian Premier League.
As per news agency ANI, Hardik Pandya is being looked at as the captain for Ahmedabad. However, there is no official confirmation yet.
"Yes, Hardik Pandya is being looked at as the skipper for Ahmedabad. The final decision is expected to come out soon," a source in the known development told ANI.
Hardik Pandya has been part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise since his IPL debut in 2015. He was released by MI ahead of the upcoming IPL 2022 mega auction.
This means that either Hardik Pandya will be bagged by one of the two new franchises before the auction takes place or teams will indulge in a bidding war during the auction.
The teams of Lucknow and Ahmedabad can pick up to three players from the list of non-retained players ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022.
Hardik, with an experience of playing 92 IPL matches, is most likely to bag a contract from either Ahmedabad and Lucknow in the mega auction after being released by Mumbai Indians.
The all-rounder has been battling his fitness issues since the 2019 World Cup, after which he had to undergo back surgery. Due to his poor form in last year's T20 World Cup, he has to lose his place in Team India. Currently, he is working on his fitness.