Ahmedabad set to appoint Hardik as captain

The Ahmedabad franchise is all set to announce Hardik Pandya as their captain, likely on the last day of the signing/retentions deadline for the two newly launched IPL teams on Saturday (January 22). The move not just secures an all-rounder's spot but also caters to the franchise's intention to synchronise itself with the local Gujarati identity.

Besides Hardik, who's born in Gujarat and is primed to take up the leadership role, the CVC-led group has also roped in Afghanistan legpsinner Rashid Khan for an identical Rs 15 crore fee as the India all-rounder. While Rashid's paycheque is above the standard price slab for the second retention, the franchise has decided to shell out the extra Rs 4 crore from their pocket for the leggie who had earlier refused to stay on with his former team Sunrisers Hyderabad as their second-choice retention.

Ahmedabad's third signing is set to be India Test opener Shubman Gill, who has been brought in for Rs 8 crore. Cricbuzz understands the signings, deal amounts and the captain will all be announced on Saturday.

CVC hires agencies to zero in on team name

Having recently been given the clean chit by BCCI, CVC Capital, that bought the Ahmedabad franchise ahead of IPL 2022, has engaged with a couple of agencies to suggest team name with a focus on youth and Gujarati heritage. It is understood that creative agency called Vector has been authorised to give the management options that will suit CVC's reputation, legacy and vision for the team. The American firm has hired a company called RSB Insights & Analytics, a Mumbai-based multi-national market research firm, which has collected a number of suggestions from a sample of Gujaratis.

The professional agency also forwarded the name of Vikram Solanki for the 'Director of Cricket' position at the franchise. The Indian background of former England cricketer is thought to have been a factor in his appointment and CVC hopes he will stand apart from the DoCs of other teams.

Former India pacer Ashish Nehra, only 42 years old, is all set to don the head coach's role after having been previously linked in the capacity of a bowling coach with Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"The company aims to marry its global expertise with an understanding of the Indian market and Indian essence through its presence in India," an insider privy to the developments told Cricbuzz. "CVC also recognises the phenomenal success of the IPL and respects that. But they want to bring the best of their global expertise/experience and to marry that with what has been an incredibly successful league. So the whole positioning will be young, fresh internationals blended with huge respect for India and everything IPL has achieved."