The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League is all set to witness the entrance of two new teams. On 25th October 2021, BCCI disclosed the names of the two new teams in IPL 2022. The tenders for Lucknow and Ahmedabad teams were floated by the administrative body. As reactions started pouring onto social media, fans were ecstatic and looked forward to rooting for their respective teams in the upcoming season.
Various business houses put their bets on the two new teams. Behemoths in the form of Gautam Adani-led group along with Manchester United's Glazer family showed interest in owning the new IPL teams 2022. However, the duo fell short of the price put forward by their counterparts and eventually failed to sign the deal. The BCCI was expecting a windfall in the range of INR 10,000 Crores. Surprisingly, they earned INR 12,690 Crores from the two new teams in IPL 2022.
Earlier in 2010, IPL featured ten teams with the inclusion of Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Later, both the teams were dissolved due to financial reasons. In 2015, the governing body announced the addition of two new teams – Rising Pune SuperGiants and Gujarat Lions – for the 2016 and 2017 editions. They were added as replacements for the then suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals teams. After six years, BCCI has decided to conduct the upcoming seasons with 10 teams.
As the mega auctions are on cards, the inclusion of two new franchises will give all the teams a level-playing field before the inception of IPL 2022. As per the rules, the eight old teams are allowed to retain a maximum of four players. Teams can retain a maximum of three domestic cricketers and two overseas players. All the eight old teams have put their retention list in the public domain. Rules state that the two new teams will have to pick a maximum of three players who are released from their erstwhile teams.
Both the new teams are yet to pick three cricketers before the mega auction for IPL 2022 get underway. They are expected to finish all the formalities before the end of January.
We take a close look at the two new teams in IPL 2022:
Ahmedabad IPL Team
CVC Capital, a British equity firm bid the highest amount for the Gujarat-based franchise. The firm bagged the ownership for the Ahmedabad IPL team for a whopping cost of INR 5625 Crores for a span of next ten years. CVC capital is a prestigious name in the world of sports. The owners have a background with investments in sports such as Racing, Football, and Rugby.
Ever since the BCCI announced them to be the owners of the Ahmedabad IPL team, they have come under immense scrutiny. The firm is accused of financial irregularities. Eventually, BCCI was quick to announce a three-member ‘legal' committee on the mentioned allegations. Later, the committee acquitted the CVC Capital from all charges piled up against them.
Meanwhile, the franchise went public with the names of their sports staff and team management. If the reports in Cricbuzz are to be believed, the South African coach Gary Kirsten, former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra and Vikram Solanki have been considered for a role in the coaching staff. Kirsten and Nehra have earlier been associated with RCB in the past few years.
Lucknow IPL Team
RPSG Group made the highest bid to claim the IPL ownership rights for the Lucknow-based franchise. Headed by Sanjeev Goenka, RPSG will yet again be in race as one of the owners of the IPL teams in 2022. Earlier, RPSG group owned Rising Pune SuperGiant for a couple of seasons in 2016 and 2017. However, the franchise was diluted as it ended its two-year term.
Time to bloom with our head coach #AndyFlower. Welcome aboard! 🙌🙏#TeamLucknow #IPL #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/xhTf8JCGQH
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) January 4, 2022
The Lucknow IPL team has been quick to set up its team management with Andy Flower being roped in as the Head Coach of the team. Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir will also join the team as the Mentor ahead of IPL 2022. As per the latest reports, the franchise is interested in announcing KL Rahul as the skipper for IPL 2022. With three retentions available before the auction, Lucknow will look to target a few of the high-profile names still up for grabs.
The official name of the team has not been brought into the public domain. The franchise has even launched a campaign asking its fans to decide the name for the Lucknow team in the IPL.
