New IPL franchise Lucknow recently announced that they have signed India opener KL Rahul, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as their draft picks ahead of the upcoming auction.
The 2022 edition of the cash-rich league will be a two-month long affair and is set to begin in the last week of March. Ahead of that more than 1200 players will go under the hammer on February 12 and 13 during the mega IPL auction.
In the meantime, Lucknow team mentor Gautam Gambhir has revealed the reason behind signing Stoinis for IPL 2022. Gambhir believes that Stoinis can play the role of a finisher to perfection while representing their side.
“After Ben Stokes, who is likely to stay away from IPL this season, Stoinis is the complete package. He can bat, bowl, and is one of the best fielders. I think his addition is good news for the team,” Gambhir said while speaking to the official IPL broadcasters Star Sports.
“We have seen him perform in the ICC T20 World Cup. He can win matches single-handedly,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Well, Stoinis is a great pick by the Lucknow team as he had been an integral part of Delhi Capitals (DC) over the last few years – when they qualified for their maiden IPL final (2020) and also made it to the playoffs in the rest of the two seasons (2019 and 2021). Also, Stoinis was a key member of the Australian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup last year and is in sublime form in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
Lucknow IPL franchise bought Marcus Stoinis in 11 crore. Now , Marcus Stoinis scored 75* (31) with 6 sixes. Carnage. 🔥🔥#BBL11 pic.twitter.com/WnopzucQ5w
— DK (@CricCrazyDK) January 19, 2022
