0:
With IPL 2022 retentions done and dusted, as many as 27 players (across 8 old teams) have been handed new contracts by their respective franchises. And it is finally time for two new sides - Ahmedabad and Lucknow - to join the party as they get an opportunity to sign 3 players each (max 1 overseas among them) from the available pool of players.
An amount of INR 33 crores will be deducted from INR 90 crores purse for the special picks in the following format: INR 15 crores for Player 1, INR 11 crores for Player 2 and INR 7 crores for Player 3. The window for the two new franchises to make the signings opened on December 1.
With players like KL Rahul, Rashid Khan, Shreyas Iyer, David Warner, Ben Stokes, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin and so many big names released by their respective franchises, it will be interesting to see which 6 players end up at Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
Welcome to SportsTiger's Live Blog of IPL 2022 Special Picks!
10:00 PM: Good Night!
That's it for today from IPL 2022 special picks. The biggest news of the day was probably the reports of deadline getting postponed due to certainty over ownership of Ahmedabad franchise. The situation is likely to develop in next few days so do join for more updates on the same. Until then, Good Night!
8:40 PM: Deadline for two new franchises likely to extend till December 31
The December 25 deadline for Ahmedabad and Lucknow to sign 3 players each is likely to extend by a week because of uncertainty over future of Ahmedabad franchise and their ownership. Notably, the mega auctions could also postpone by a week as a result.
"Ahmedabad team issue will be sorted next week. Though the IPL GC will formally finalize and announce the Mega-Auction dates but it is likely to be conducted in 2nd week of January”, said one of the top BCCI official as quoted by InsideSport.
8:00 PM: David Warner might be heading to auctions
David Warner, who has been linked with a move to one of the two franchises, has hinted that he is heading to mega auctions instead. On his latest Instagram post, someone asked him, "Warner bro, what's up about IPL." Warner replied, "auction I guess" presumably hinting that he is unlikely to move to Ahmedabad or Lucknow in the ongoing draft.
Read More: Warner hints that he won’t move to Lucknow or Ahmedabad in draft
5:45 PM: Potential captaincy candidates for Ahmedabad
With KL Rahul set to go to Lucknow, these are the few potential candidates who could captain the Ahmedabad side: David Warner, Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer (but he is also likely to move to Lucknow).
5:00 PM: Andy Flower leading the race to be Lucknow's new head coach
Andy Flower, who recently stepped down from his coaching position at Punjab Kings, is leading the race to be announced as new head coach of Lucknow franchise, presumably because he has worked with KL Rahul (who is expected to be the side's new captain). This is probably one of the reasons he is ahead of other names like Daniel Vettori, Gary Kirsten and Trevor Bayliss who might now be the potential contenders for a move to Ahmedabad.
December 5: Welcome Back
It's been a couple of quiet days in the draft scene with the ongoing second Test between India and New Zealand. However, it doesn't mean that there is nothing happening behind the scenes. Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
10:10 PM: Good Night!
It's been another action-packed day in IPL with one of the biggest reports revealing that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer close to move to Lucknow franchise. With lot more expected to transpire in coming days, stay tuned with us.
9:05 PM: Hardik Pandya parts ways with Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya, on Thursday, came up with an emotional Instagram post after getting released by Mumbai Indians. "They say all good things must end but @mumbaiindians will remain in my heart forever ❤️," Hardik stated in one of the lines of his caption, presumably suggesting that he is likely to join a new franchise for IPL 2022.
Considering the timing of his post, it is very likely that the all-rounder is set to join one of the two franchises, with Ahmedabad looking a possible destination for him.
7:45 PM: 7 players which Ahmedabad and Lucknow can sign
There are quite a few players available for the two new franchises, whom they can draft in their side before the mega auctions. Among so many names, here is the list of 7 players who could prove to be the best picks for Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
6:40 PM: Will Rashid Khan head to Ahmedabad?
If the reports of Rahul and Iyer being the first two picks for Lucknow turn out to be true, it is quite likely that the franchise will not be able to afford Rashid Khan who reportedly rejected an INR 10 crore contract at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In this case, doors might open for Ahmedabad to secure the signing of Rashid as their first or second pick, which might get the leg-spinner a better deal than what he was being offered at SRH. If such is not the case, Rashid will prefer to go to mega auctions where many franchises might look to break the bank for him.
5:10 PM: KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer to move to Lucknow franchise
As per the latest reports on Thursday, it has been revealed that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are set to move to the newly-formed Lucknow franchise for IPL 2022. According to sources close to SportsTiger, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise have secured the deals to sign the two Indian batsman and an official announcement by the franchise could be made in coming days.
Read More: KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer to move to Lucknow for IPL 2022
4:20 PM: Will Ahmedabad sign Hardik Pandya in draft?
Hardik Pandya is one of the star cricketers in Indian cricket right now who hails from Gujarat. All the teams in IPL often prefer having few names in their side who are representative of their state and with Hardik being released by Mumbai Indians, reports suggest that Ahmedabad could be very keen to secure the services of all-rounder in the drafts itself.
3:45 PM: Here is the complete guide
Just in case you are wondering how the whole IPL 2022 special picks work for two new franchises, here is the complete guide to understand the entire process, rules and guidelines.
EXPLAINED: How two new IPL teams can sign players ahead of mega auction
December 2: Good Afternoon! Welcome back to another exciting day
10:10 PM: See you tomorrow
That's it for Day 1. A lot was seen happening on the coaching side rather than the players, possibly signaling that we might first have the head coaches on board for both the sides. Will we see any other potential candidate for two vacant coaching positions appearing tomorrow apart from Andy Flower and Trevor Bayliss? Let's wait and watch!
It's expected to be another dramatic day so do join us for all the latest updates. Until then, Good Night!
9:40 PM: David Warner or Shreyas Iyer?
With reports claiming that KL Rahul might be heading to Lucknow, it leaves Ahmedabad in a very tricky situation as they look for a captain to begin with. David Warner and Shreyas Iyer are two names doing the rounds on social media, who could be potential captaincy picks for Ahmedabad. Will the new franchise opt to sign one of them or will they surprise everyone with a different pick?
8:40 PM: Hunt for coaches also begins
Before the two new franchises look to secure the signings of players, it seems like they want to get their head coaches on board so that he can build a team from scratch. Andy Flower's decision to step down as Punjab Kings assistant coach and Trevor Bayliss reportedly moving out from the role of SRH head coach has certainly raised a few eyebrows. Is the duo heading towards 2 new franchises?
8:10 PM: KL Rahul likely to captain Lucknow
As per reports, KL Rahul has been identified by Lucknow as their first special pick. The former PBKS captain is one of the contenders to move to Sanjiv Goenka's co-owned franchise and is likely to lead them in the coming season.