As soon as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise signed both Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda in the IPL 2022 auction, many fans scratched their heads.
Given the two all-rounders' spat during their time together in the Baroda team, concerns were expressed regarding the team's chemistry with Hooda and Krunal sharing the dressing room.
Hooda and Krunal were involved in a significant issue during their time at the Baroda squad, where Hooda accused his captain Krunal of bullying him, not long before the IPL 2022 auction. Hooda later resigned from the team.
Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir has stated that the two players are professionals who do not need to be best buddies off the field to do well on the field.
"Look, you don't have to be best friends off the field to perform on it. They are professionals and they know that they have a job to do. You don't have to go out for dinner every night if you are playing in the same team,” said Gambhir in conversation with PTI.
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Gambhir even revealed his own personal experiences to emphasise that you want to work for the team's welfare, even if you don't get along with some members of the team.
“I have not been friends with everyone in every team that I have played in. But that hasn't stopped me from giving my best when I am out there on the field. These are matured people and they know there are here to win matches for Lucknow."
Hooda and Krunal are both renowned all-rounders who provide a variety of skills to the Lucknow Super Giants. Lucknow always wanted to have such multi-skilled players, according to Gambhir.
"When we were preparing the strategy for our team, we wanted more all-rounders and we got our chairman Dr. Sanjiv Goenka's approval. It always helps to have multi-dimensional cricketers as they give you more options. It's always good to have batters, who can chip in with two or three overs."
On March 28, Lucknow will play their first encounter in the IPL 2022 season, against fellow newcomers Gujarat Titans.
(PTI inputs)
