IPL 2022: Predicted Lucknow Squad with The Best Available Released Players

Ahead of the 2022 edition of IPL, two new teams will be participating in the cash-rich tournament. A total of 10 teams will be playing from next year as opposed to the eight teams earlier. Lucknow and Ahmedabad are the two new teams that are added.

Both the teams are allowed to pick three players- two Indians and one overseas, before the Mega Auctions. The teams have been given a budget of INR 33 crores to spend from their 90 crore purse for the first three players. Lucknow team is currently one of the most talked-about franchises in the competition.

Zimbabwe’s former cricketer, Andy Flower is set to be the head coach of the Lucknow franchise. And if reports are to be believed, then KL Rahul will be the captain of the team. In this article, we have compiled a 15-member squad, which includes all those players who were released by their teams in the retention.

IPL 2022: Predicted Lucknow Squad with The Best Available Released Players

KL Rahul

If reports are to be believed, then KL Rahul is set to be the captain of the Lucknow franchise. The franchise has reportedly offered a 20-crore contract to the Indian cricketer. KL Rahul has been in the form of his life and Lucknow would be eager to buy his services.

KL Rahul was an integral part of Punjab Kings for the last few seasons. He joined PBKS ahead of the start of the 2018 edition of the tournament. He was the top-run scorer for the franchise for four successive seasons. However, despite those contributions, Punjab Kings failed to reach the playoffs on a single occasion. Ahead of the start of the new edition, 29-year-old has parted ways with Punjab and is likely to lead the Lucknow franchise.

Ishan Kishan

Prior to the announcement of the retention list, Mumbai Indians were expected to retain Ishan Kishan amongst their three Indian retentions. However, Suryakumar Yadav was given the nod ahead of Ishan Kishan. Mumbai Indians, unfortunately, had to release Ishan Kishan ahead of the next edition of the tournament.

As per reports, the Indian opener is on the radar of the Lucknow franchise. Ishan Kishan might open the batting with KL Rahul for Lucknow in IPL 2022. The duo could wreak havoc if that happens.

Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow wasn’t available for SRH in the second edition of the IPL 2021. However, he wreaked havoc with the bat in the first leg of the tournament. Bairstow dished out consistent performances and gave his side solid starts at the top of the order.

In 7 matches, he aggregated 248 runs at an average of 41.33. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad released him ahead of the mega auction. He can be destructive while batting at number three for the Lucknow franchise in IPL 2022.

Ben Stokes

A finger injury in the very first match of the IPL 2021 meant Ben Stokes was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. Later, he took a break from all forms of cricket, citing mental health concerns. Owing to his uncertainty over his availability for the next edition of IPL, Rajasthan Royals decided to not retain the English all-rounder for the next edition.

Ben Stokes recently made his comeback in the first Ashes Test against Australia. He has recovered fully fit from his injury and is likely to participate in the next edition of the IPL. Lucknow would be looking to buy his services in the auctions.

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi was nothing short of sensational during the second leg of the IPL 2021. He capitalized on the starts given by Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill and helped Kolkata Knight Riders post competitive totals on the board.

Overall, Tripathi aggregated 397 runs in 17 matches at an average of 28.35. Unfortunately, the franchise couldn’t retain his services for the next edition. He could be a vital cog in the middle-order for Lucknow in IPL 2022.

Shahrukh Khan

Punjab Kings didn’t play Shahrukh Khan in the first few matches of the second leg of IPL 2021. He told his importance after getting the opportunities later in during the season. Khan played vital cameos and also helped Punjab win a couple of games.

There aren’t a lot of talented lower-middle-order batsmen who could play aggressively in the slog overs. Shahrukh Khan, thus, will be highly in demand for the next season. Lucknow franchise could be shelling out huge bucks to buy him at the auctions. So far in his IPL career, the Shahrukh Khan has scored 153 runs in 11 matches at an average of 21.85.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t have the best of the outings for Delhi Capitals in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. He picked only 7 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 47.28. As a result, the was released by Delhi Capital for the next edition.

Axar Patel was given the nod ahead of him. Ravichandran Ashwin will, once again, find himself at the auction pool. There is no doubt about Ashwin’s ability. He is one of the best spinners going around in the world and Lucknow would be looking to buy his services at the auctions.

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel had a sensational IPL 2021 with the ball. In just 15 matches, he picked as many as 32 wickets with the ball at an average of 14.34, including a hat-trick. With that, he equalled the record for the highest number of wickets taken in a single edition of the tournament. Dwayne Bravo earlier held the record with 32 wickets to his name picked in the 2013 edition.

Surprisingly the Royal Challengers Bangalore let go of Harshal Patel ahead of the next edition. They retained M Siraj as the only seamer in the team. Harshal Patel is likely to cause a bidding war at the mega auction. He might up be bowling for the Lucknow franchise in IPL 2022.

Rahul Chahar

Rahul Chahar bowled beautifully in the first leg of the IPL 2021 for Mumbai Indians. However, the leggie couldn’t have a similar impact when the action moved to UAE. He played 11 matches and picked 13 wickets at an average of 24.46.

With so many talented players in the team, Mumbai Indians was never going to retain Rahul Chahar for the next edition. He will once again find himself at the auction pool. Chahar has a good amount of experience of playing in IPL. He can make a great spin bowling pair with Ravi Ashwin for Lucknow.

Josh Hazlewood

There is no denying that Josh Hazlewood has made a significant improvement in T20 cricket. He was superb for Chennai Super Kings in the second leg of IPL 2021. He bowled in all the phases of the game and helped the team pick wickets at crucial stages in the game.

He was outstanding for Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. In 7 matches, Hazlewood picked 11 wickets at an average of 15.91. Surely, the Australia fast bowler is going to be in huge demand at the auctions. He might end up opening the attack for the Lucknow franchise in IPL 2022.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult exhibited sensational performances since making his debut for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. The last season saw him picking 13 wickets in 14 matches at 31.23. Mumbai Indians would be keen to reacquire his services in the auctions. However, they are likely to engage in a bidding war with other franchises and Lucknow can be one of them. Boult has played 62 matches in the history of IPL and managed to pick 76 wickets at an average of 26.09.

KS Bharat

KS Bharat did a pretty good job while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last edition of IPL. He played 8 matches and scored 191 runs at an average of 38.20. His unbeaten 78-run match-winning knock remains as the highlights of his IPL career.

KS Bharat can open the batting as well as bat in the middle-order. He could be both the backup wicket-keeper and the opener in the Lucknow team for the IPL 2022.

Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi has bowled exceedingly well in both editions is likely to be in huge demand at the auctions. Lucknow franchise too could be eying to buy his services for next season.

Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone’s performances in IPL 2021 for Rajasthan Royals didn’t inspire a lot of confidence. He managed to score only 42 runs in 5 matches at an average of 8.40.

However, it doesn’t take away the fact that he is a T20 specialist batsman and a match-winner in the shortest format of the game. Despite his mediocre returns, he is likely to be in huge demand at the auctions. Livingstone could bolster the Lucknow team’s middle-order.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

There is no denying that Bhuvneshwar Kumar isn’t the bowler that he used to be earlier. His returns for SRH in the last editions of IPL aren’t too inspiring. The Indian seamer picked only 6 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 55.83.

However, his vast experience of playing at the big stage could still be useful for the franchises. Lucknow could be interested in having him as the second Indian seamer in the squad.