IPL Mega-Auction 2022 | Lucknow Super Giants steal the show at the auction for different reasons

The RP Sanjiv Goenka Group owned team Lucknow Super Giants is one of the two new franchises that will take part in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Ahead of the Tata IPL auction, they decided to draft in KL Rahul for INR 17 crores as their skipper, Marcus Stoinis for INR 11 crores and Ravi Bishnoi for INR 4 crores. 

The Lucknow based franchise were the highest spenders on day one of the auction and were only left with INR 6.9 crores for the second day. Prior to lunch on the second day of the auction they had spent another 3.6 crores. Their major focus in the auction room was all upon the all-rounders and the franchise has managed to sign up 6 of them in total. Overall, they had a magnificent auction and we have shortlisted four major talking points from their auction.

Absolute steal: Jason Holder, Quinton de Kock and Deepak Hooda 

They went after Quinton de Kock from the first set of marquee players and managed to get the South African wicket-keeper's signatures for INR 6.75 crores. It was one of the biggest steals from the marquee set when we consider the left-hander's performances over the years for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. In Quinton, they found an opening partner for KL Rahul and a wicket-keeper that they can rely on. The aggressive approach of QDK is something that will compliment Rahul, and they might become one of the deadliest opening pairs in the IPL. 

The Super Giants from Lucknow have bought the Barbados all-rounder, Jason Holder for INR 8.75 crores. He was one of the most highlighted all-rounders going into the auction and various franchises were after the big man but it was the Super Giants that have managed to get their man for a price they might be very happy with. Holder has been one of the best players in his position and can pitch in with both the ball and the bat. He has led his national side over the finish line on various occasions and will look to repeat the same with his new franchise.

The recent India debutant, Deepak Hooda was signed up by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group owned team for INR 5.75. An Indian all-rounder who can bat in the middle order is something that will provide balance to the Giants outfit and will allow them to play the likes of Holder, Stoinis and Krunal Pandya in their preferred roles.

Signing Mark Wood for INR 7.5 crores instead of pushing for Pat Cummins

The Lucknow based franchise were interested in signing Pat Cummins the Australian test skipper from the marquee set 1 but they failed to secure the player as Kolkata Knight Riders managed to get the player back into their ranks. Their penultimate bid was INR 7 crores. The Australian pacer is sort of a bowling all-rounder and his performance with the bat for Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous edition suggests that they could have easily pushed on for another crore or two. 

Their decision to back out from the opportunity to sign Cummins and then go on to buy the English speedster, Mark Wood for INR 7.5 crores made no sense to us. Mark Wood is a quality pacer but he is yet to prove himself in the Indian Premier League and he hardly offers anything with the bat. Pat Cummins is a leader who would have surely added a lot to the think tank and Rahul would have surely benefited from his arrival.

Signing Avesh Khan for INR 10 crores

Avesh Khan had a brilliant outing in the last edition of the IPL for the Delhi Capitals, picking up 24 wickets in 16 matches as the side made it into the finals of the tournament. It was a stellar season for the Indian pacer and his performances have resulted in him being called up for the Indian squad multiple times. He is currently a part of the Indian squad that is playing against the West Indies but he is yet to make his debut.

Lucknow Super Giants have secured his services for INR 10 crores making him the most expensive Indian uncapped player in the history of the IPL. The record previously belonged to Krishnappa Gowtham, who was signed by CSK for INR 9.25 crores but did not feature for them throughout the previous season.

While Avesh might have been the second-highest wicket-taker in last year's edition we still think INR 10 crores for him is a bit too much considering the fact that he has just had one brilliant season and might be a one-season wonder in the IPL. The last time around when Rajasthan Royals went after Jaydev Undakat after his heroics in IPL 2017 they regretted it big time. We hope that the player can have a great season for the Super Giants, as he is one of the best young talents in the country at the moment.

Overpaying Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya is an experienced Indian all-rounder who has been part of the Mumbai Indians set up for years but now will have to ply his trade for Lucknow Super Giants. The elder Pandya brother was a crucial member of the five-time champions but will look for a fresh start when he joins his new franchise. The Lucknow based franchise bought him for INR 8.25 crores. 

His experience might come in handy but we consider the price tag to be a touch on the higher side. The fact that he doesn't bowl the complete quota of four overs and neither does he contribute much with the bat makes us feel he has been over. Since the Super Giants have managed to rope in multiple spinning all-rounders it might work in their favour.

They have paired up ex-teammates Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda who share a bit of history from back in the day. Krunal was Hooda’s skipper at Baroda while he accused the senior Pandya brother of mistreating him and as a result, he decided to leave Baroda to join Rajasthan.