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Lucknow making right moves: Aakash Chopra names 3 players franchise should pick before IPL mega auction

WION Web Team
New Delhi, India Updated: Dec 19, 2021, 03:05 PM IST
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Former India cricketer and popular commentator Aakash Chopra feels the Lucknow IPL franchise is making the right noises ahead of the mega auction. He named three players they should pick ahead of the auction.

The Lucknow Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise is making all the right moves ahead of the mega auction, feels former India cricketer and popular commentator Aakash Chopra. Lucknow franchise has managed to catch the attention of fans and experts alike with some major appointments ahead of the mega auction. 

The franchise has roped in former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower as their head coach and former India opener Gautam Gambhir as the mentor ahead of their debut season in the league next year. While Flower has worked as a coach with several T20 franchises across the globe, Gambhir is a two-time IPL-winning captain with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Chopra has been left impressed by the Lucknow franchise's moves ahead of the IPL mega auction and took to Twitter to name three players they should target in the players' draft ahead of the auction. Both new teams - Lucknow and Ahmedabad can pick a maximum of three players each ahead of the mega auction.

Chopra believes Lucknow franchise should pick former Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Hardik Pandya or wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan ahead of the mega auction. All these players have been released by their respective franchises and are available in the draft.

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As per reports, the Lucknow franchise is already in talks with both Rahul and Rashid to join the team ahead of the mega auction. Rahul is likely to be appointed as the captain of the franchise and has been offered a mega contract by the RPSG Group, who are the owners of the Lucknow team.

Rashid, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad, and has been one of the best bowlers in the IPL over the last few years, wanted to be retained by SRH as the first-choice player. However, he was released after failing to agree to a contract with his former side and is likely to head to Lucknow ahead of the mega auction.