Rahul was the first acquisition for the Lucknow franchise, who spent Rs 17 crore ($2.28 million approx.) on him, the joint-highest fee paid to a player in the IPL. One of the most consistent batters in the league since 2018, Rahul was the highest run scorer for Punjab Kings after four seasons there, with 2548 runs at an average of 56.62.

After a breakthrough IPL in 2021, in which he took 24 wickets for Delhi Capitals at an economy of 7.37, in 2022, Avesh became the first ever uncapped player to hit the Rs 10-crore mark at an IPL auction when Lucknow secured his services.. Capable of 140kph deliveries, he has been effective both in the powerplay and at the death.

Comfortable against pace and spin alike, de Kock has been one of the most impactful batters in the last three IPLs. He emerged as Mumbai Indians' top run scorer in 2019 and second-highest in 2020, and was a vital cog in them winning back-to-back trophies. de Kock was also the third most expensive wicketkeeper in the 2022 auction.