Earlier, there were reports that team captain and star batsman KL Rahul would leave Punjab as the franchise could not win. The Punjab Kings have decided not to retain Rahul as he is looking for a new platform. There are unconfirmed reports that Rahul will be the new captain of the Lucknow franchise in the IPL next season.
The arrival of the Punjab Kings with the revolutionary decision not to retain anyone comes at a time when all other teams are scrambling to retain key players. If not a single one is retained, Punjab will reach the total amount of Rs 90 crore that can be used in the mega star auction. The IPL Governing Council has directed that the list of players to be retained ahead of the new season be submitted before the 30th of this month. But so far no action has been taken on the part of Punjab in this regard.
The newcomers to the IPL, the Lucknow and Ahmedabad teams, have the opportunity to select two players of their choice from the auction list before the auction, so it is likely that one of them will get Rahul. There are unconfirmed reports that the Lucknow team has reached an agreement with Rahul.
According to a report in The Telegraph India, Punjab is expected to retain uncapped players like Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh. But the team owners have not made that decision.
“The team may retain one of Arshdeep and Bishnoi, as the franchise will have to spend Rs 4 crore to retain an uncapped player,” the report said.
Despite making significant changes to the squad every season and bringing in new players and coaches, Punjab have yet to win the IPL, which has been dubbed as the most glamorous league in children’s cricket.
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