KL
Rahul is among the frontrunners to lead the Lucknow franchise in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League
(IPL). The cricketer is currently playing for India in South Africa. Rahul
will lead India in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting January 19.

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According
to a PTI report, Rahul is one of the players of the Lucknow franchise, one of
the two new entrants in this year’s IPL, has signed from the draft players’
list ahead of the auction, which is scheduled on February 12 and 13 in
Bengaluru. Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Indian leg-spinner Ravi
Bishnoi are the other two cricketers Lucknow has signed so far.

“Rahul
will captain Lucknow. The team is deciding on the other two draft picks,”
an IPL source told PTI.

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Rahul led Punjab Kings for the past two seasons but as he had expressed the
desire to leave the franchise he was released. Emerging talent Bishnoi was also
with Punjab while Stoinis represented Delhi Capitals.

RP-Sanjiv
Goenka Group, which previously owned defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, bought the
right of Lucknow franchise shelling out Rs 7090 crore.

Also Read: IPL 2022 auction to be held in Bengaluru on February 12, 13

Rahul
is currently the stand-in captain of the Indian ODI team in South Africa and he
will lead India in the series in absence of injured captain Rohit Sharma.

The
29-year-old right-handed batter is also in contention for the Test captain’s
position on the Indian cricket team. Virat Kohli has recently stepped down as
India’s Test captain which left the position vacant.

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“To
lead the country is a dream come true for any player and something special that
he will cherish for a long time. I am no different,” Rahul said on Tuesday
on being asked about leading India in Tests.

Rahul
led India in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa, where India lost by
seven wickets.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Ahmedabad franchise sign Hardik, Shubman, Rashid ahead of auction

Last
season under Rahul, Punjab Kings finished third on the IPL points ladder.  In 94 matches, Rahul scored 3273 runs at a remarkable
average of 47.43. At 136.38, his strike rate is also fantastic.