KL Rahul Likely To Leave Punjab Kings Ahead Of IPL 2022 - Reports
Published - 11 Oct 2021, 11:41 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:58 AM
If reports from Cricbuzz are to be believed then Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) and their incumbent captain KL Rahul will part ways before the mega auction scheduled in a few months’ time for the IPL 2022 season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) will feature two additional new teams in the mix, making the IPL a 10-team tournament. The last time IPL had ten teams was in 2011 when Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala were added to the tournament.
With a mega auction scheduled for the IPL 2022, though the details are to be official, it has been reported that all franchises might be allowed only 2-3 retentions with no Right To Match (RTM) cards available, as the BCCI wants the two new teams to choose from the best players available.
KL Rahul has been with the since IPL 2018 and was made captain of the franchise in IPL 2020 when Ravichandran Ashwin and Punjab Kings parted ways.
KL Rahul’s Parting With The Punjab Kings Is An Amicable One- Report
The fortunes of the Punjab franchise didn’t change despite them changing their names from Kings XI Punjab and adopting a new look and style, along with Rahul as captain. However, under his leadership, the team finished on 6th in both the IPL 2020 and IPL 2021.
However, Rahul has been in top form for them with 2548 runs in 55 matches with an average of 56.62 and a strike rate of 139.76. He made two centuries including the highest score of 132* and made 23 fifties as well. He hit 221 fours and 110 maximums for PBKS during his time.
As per the report, A franchise has the right to use the RTM cards, when made available for the auction, for its current players and it is understood that discussions are taking place behind the scenes so that Rahul’s parting with the Kings is an amicable one.
It is also understood that he has been approached by a few franchises that have shown interest in getting him. The BCCI will reveal the two new teams on October 25th with Ahmedabad and Lucknow front-runners thanks to them having two world-class stadiums in Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Ekana.
