After the government gave the final clearance for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the cricketers have started to gear up for the cash-rich league. Newly-appointed Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper KL Rahul is the recent addition as he hit the nets to gear up for IPL 2020.
Many star cricketers including Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Shami has already begun training in their localities. Even MS Dhoni reportedly practised at the indoor training facility of the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi last weekend.
KL Rahul hits net ahead of IPL 2020
KL Rahul, who had an exciting start to the year also joined the nets to gear up for the cash-rich league. He uploaded a small clip from his training sessions on social media where he timed the ball brilliantly and looked completely in touch.
“music to my ears @lionsdenkxip,” he tweeted.
music to my ears 🏏 @lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/m8xim6pchV
— K L Rahul (@klrahul) August 10, 2020
After an outstanding couple of season with Kings XI Punjab, the management has handed KL Rahul the captaincy role. The position was vacant after the franchises traded Ravichandran Ashwin to Delhi Capitals ahead of the auctions.
In 2018, Rahul amassed 659 runs from 14 matches at an average of 54.91, with six fifties and a century. The year later, Rahul dominated the lists again, amassing 593 runs with an average of 53.60, including six half-centuries. Expectations will be high from the stylish Karnataka batsman this time around.
Last week, BCCI confirmed that IPL 2020 will take place in the UAE owing to rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. The tournament will commence from September 19 and will run until November 10. This is the first time in 13 years, that IPL final will take place on a weekday.
Meanwhile, the franchises will be leaving for the UAE only after August 20, confirmed BCCI. They will remain in bio-secure bubbles and will have to follow the protocols keeping in mind the prevailing pandemic. Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi will host the matches as BCCI is yet to reveal the complete schedule for IPL 2020.