Lucknow IPL franchise will make its debut in IPL 2022. They have made two big announcements so far. First, the RPSG Group-owned team named former Zimbabwe player Andy Flower as their head coach. Soon, they announced former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir as their mentor.
Gambhir played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals during his IPL career. He captained both franchises. In this article today, we will list down the five players who played under Gambhir in the IPL and could join Lucknow in IPL 2022.
1. Lucknow could target Kuldeep Yadav for IPL 2022
Kuldeep Yadav is a player who came into the limelight while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders under Gautam Gambhir. He made his IPL debut in 2016 under Gambhir’s captaincy. In two seasons under Gambhir’s leadership, Yadav picked up 18 wickets in 15 matches. Kuldeep was born in Uttar Pradesh, so he will also be keen to play for his home franchise.
2. Chris Lynn
Australian batter Chris Lynn is another player who came into the spotlight while playing Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy for Kolkata Knight Riders. Lynn played only one match in two seasons for Mumbai Indians. He is back in the auction pool and Gambhir might look to bring him to Lucknow.
3. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa won the Orange Cap award in the year when the Kolkata Knight Riders won their second IPL trophy under Gautam Gambhir. Uthappa performed brilliantly for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. He could bring a lot more experience to the Lucknow squad if offered a contract for IPL 2022.
4. Lucknow could target Shakib Al Hasan for IPL 2022
Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was a match-winner for the Kolkata Knight Riders when Gautam Gambhir led the franchise. Shakib can add a lot of balance to any playing XI in any format of cricket. Lucknow could benefit by signing Shakib at the mega auction.
5. Manish Pandey
Another player who played a massive role in the Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders’ success was Manish Pandey. The right-handed batter scored a match-winning fifty for the Knight Riders in the IPL 2014 Final. Sunrisers Hyderabad did not use him properly during the last few seasons. Pandey could revive his IPL career by joining Lucknow in 2022.
