Lucknow sign Andy Flower as head coach for Indian T20 League 2022
Andy Flower (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The Lucknow based franchise has confirmed the appointment of Andy Flower as the head coach for the Indian T20 League 2022 (ITL). Lucknow and Ahmedabad are the two new teams that will be featuring in the 15th edition of the ITL.
Rumours about Flower taking over the role was doing rounds in the media for a while but the franchise didn’t confirm the same due to the restrictions imposed by the BCCI. The board has barred the franchises from disclosing any signings owing to the uncertainty surrounding the Ahmedabad team. The BCCI are yet to give clearance to the CVC group, who are owners of the Ahmedabad team.
Meanwhile, Flower’s appointment is a big hint that KL Rahul will be leading the Lucknow team in ITL 2022. Speculations regarding Rahul being roped in by the Lucknow team are rife. Even Punjab didn’t retain Rahul before the mega auction. Earlier, it was reported that KL Rahul recommended Andy Flower as head coach for Lucknow. Both Rahul and Flower has worked together with Punjab in ITL 2020 and ITL 2021.
“As a player and a coach Andy has left an indelible mark in the history of cricket. We respect his professionalism and hope he will work with our vision and add value to our team,” Cricbuzz Quoted owner of Lucknow franchise, Sanjiv Goenka
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the new Lucknow franchise and I am very grateful for the opportunity,” Flower said. “Since my very first tour to India in 1993, I have always loved touring, playing and coaching in India. The passion for cricket in India is unrivalled and it is a real privilege to lead an IPL franchise and I am looking forward to working closely with Dr Goenka and the Lucknow team. I will relish the challenge to build something meaningful and successful with the Lucknow franchise, I am looking forward to meeting the management and staff when I visit Uttar Pradesh in the New Year.”
The new franchise can pick three players who were not retained by their franchise. KL Rahul and Rashid Khan are two players Lucknow are keen on hiring, as per reports.
