Lucknow Super Giants will be making their debut in the Indian Premier League as they are one of the two new teams who will be part of the ten-team IPL. LSG owned by the RPSG group made three good signings – KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, and Ravi Bishnoi before the IPL Auction. KL Rahul who led the Punjab Kings in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021 will lead LSG in IPL 2022. LSG has roped in Andy Flower as the head coach and Gautam Gambhir as the mentor.
LSG had a terrific Auction as they made some great buys in Jason Holder, Quinton De Kock, Avesh Khan and Mark Wood. They had almost exhausted all their purse on Day 1 and hence have the smallest squad of 21 players. They are one of the three teams who have bought only seven overseas players but all of those are quality players and so it won’t be easy to pick the four overseas for LSG. So, let us have a look at who could be the four overseas players for LSG in IPL 2022.
1. Quinton De Kock
Lucknow Super Giants managed to get Quinton De Kock for just 6.75 CR in the Mega Auction. Many teams were looking for openers and QDK is an opener who is also a keeper, so he should have been in demand but still, they got him for a steal. QDK has been a prolific run-scorer in the IPL, and so he will be one of the four overseas players for LSG.
Being a left-hander, he will form a great combination with KL Rahul. Not only that but Quinton De Kock can attack from ball one and KL Rahul can take his time as he likes to in the IPL. He is more than capable of playing the long innings and so QDK is a great buy for the Lucknow Super Giants.
2. Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis is the only overseas player LSG signed before the auction, and so he would be part of the four overseas players in the playing XI. Stoinis was part of the Delhi Capitals franchise in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021 and played an integral role in helping them reach the Final in IPL 2020.
Stoinis has the immense striking ability and can bat anywhere from one to six. Even though he hasn’t bowled for a while he can chip in with a couple of overs if necessary for the team. Stoinis would love playing on the flat Mumbai pitches and he could be a great signing for LSG in IPL 2022.
3. Jason Holder
Jason Holder was one of the hottest properties going into the Auction, and LSG managed to get him for 8.75 CR. Holder has improved drastically in the shortest format and he would surely be one of the four overseas players for LSG in IPL 2022. Holder can bowl with the new ball and at the death as well which holds him in good stead.
Not only that but he can also bat according to the situation. He has all the shots to increase the scoring rate and at the same time, he can anchor an innings if required. He is more than a handy cricketer and it would be great to watch him perform for one of the new franchises.
4. Mark Wood
Mark Wood who played only one game in IPL 2018 will be back in the Indian Premier League after 4 years. Despite his injury-prone nature, Lucknow Supergiants have spent 7.5 CR on him. He is a terrific bowler and bowls with extreme pace, which is always an asset.
He will be pairing up with Avesh Khan who is improving in the shortest format. Wood is one of those bowlers who might have a higher economy but will pick up key wickets with his pace and bounce. The pitches in Mumbai will suit his bowling style and if he remains fit for the whole season than he could be a match-winner for LSG in IPL 2022.
