The two new IPL franchises, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, on Friday (January 21) drafted their three picks for the 2022 edition of the league ahead of the mega auction.

While Ahmedabad signed the trio of Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill, Lucknow roped in KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis and Ravi Bishnoi.

The two teams also named their captain for the upcoming season. Hardik has been appointed Ahmedabad’s skipper whereas Rahul will lead the Lucknow team this year.

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Pandya, who was picked for INR 15 crore by the Ahmedabad franchise in IPL 2022, shared a special video message for his fans via Twitter handle on Saturday (January 22).

"Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the owners, the management for putting their faith in me as the captain of this team. It's a new era for us and I am excited for what lies ahead," he was seen as saying in the video message.

Hardik also welcomed Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill into the team. Notably, Rashid and Gill were bought for INR 15 crore and INR 8 crore respectively.

On the other hand, KL Rahul said it is a huge honour for him to be part of the new Lucknow team.

"Hi everyone. Firstly, I would like to say what a huge honour and privilege it is to be part of the new Lucknow team. I would like to thank Mr Sanjiv Goenka for giving me such a huge responsibility and showing faith in me. I am glad that I'm part of the RPSG Group. I will try to give my best for the people of Lucknow and play a brand of cricket that entertains everybody," he said in a video message posted on the official Twitter handle of the Lucknow team.

Lucknow’s two other picks, Stoinis and Bishnoi, cost the franchise INR 9.2 crore and INR 4 crore respectively.

The players chosen as draft picks won’t feature in the IPL 2022 mega auction, slated for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru.