The Lucknow Super Giants will make their Indian Premier League debut this year. Ahead of the IPL 2022 season, the Lucknow-based franchise formed a solid squad at the mega auction. Many fans reckoned that they had one of the strongest teams. However, Mark Wood will not play for Lucknow in IPL 2022.
The Lucknow Super Giants signed Wood for a whopping INR 7.5 crore at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. The team management probably saw him as the leader of their pace attack. However, Wood will not participate in the upcoming tournament because of an elbow injury.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed that Mark Wood will be unavailable for IPL 2022. According to Cricbuzz, the Lucknow Super Giants has started the process to sign a replacement for Wood.
Since Wood is a fast bowler, the Lucknow Super Giants will likely target a pacer as a replacement. Former Indian cricket team batter Aakash Chopra recently recommended four players whom LSG can sign as Mark’s replacement.
Aakash Chopra feels Lucknow Super Giants can sign an Indian replacement for Mark Wood
Apart from Mark Wood, the Lucknow Super Giants also signed Dushmantha Chameera and Jason Holder at the mega auction. So they have enough depth in their bowling attack. Aakash Chopra suggested four Indian names who could join LSG as a replacement.
“There are some Indian options as well like Kulwant Khejroliya, Dhawal Kulkarni and Sandeep Warrier. Even Ishant Sharma is an option. At this point in time, it is running really really thin,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
Dhawal Kulkarni could be an asset for any franchise in IPL 2022 because the league matches will happen in Maharashtra. Even Ishant Sharma brings a lot of experience to the table, whereas Sandeep Warrier and Kulwant Khejroliya have done well in domestic matches. It will be interesting to see which player joins LSG as a replacement.