IPL 10, Match 6, GL v SRH: Gujarat Lions Predicted XI

Last year’s table toppers Gujarat Lions were given a thrashing by the Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening game of IPL 10. Although having put up a reasonably good total on the board, the Gujarat bowlers bore the brunt of Chris’ Lynn-sanity, as the KKR openers cantered home with 31 balls to spare.

The Lions are obviously missing two of their first-choice picks, Ravindra Jadeja and West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo, who have been ruled out due to injury. Although the result of the Rajkot game against KKR spoke volumes about Lynn’s ability to strike the ball clean, it also shed light on Gujarat’s weakness in their bowling attack.

Suresh Raina chose to go in with a set of domestic and inexperienced bowlers. Praveen Kumar was the only bowler in the side with some considerable experience at the international level. The batting order was well padded up though, with overseas heavyweights such as Roy, McCullum, Finch and Dwayne Smith, who clearly played their part. However, the likes of Manpreet Gony, Shivil Kaushik and Dhawal Kulkarni were all taken for plenty as Chris Lynn lay waste to the Lions’ poor bowling.

As far as the Gujarat Lions are concerned, the game highlighted a clear misbalance between the two departments. They’d do well to head back to the drawing board and make some important changes in the team before they clash against defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Jason Roy

It’s just been the one game for Jason Roy in the IPL, hence it makes little sense to make sweeping statements about the opener’s form. The Englishman is dangerous at the top of the order, and his swaggering strokeplay can throw off any opposition bowler. He has the ability to attack right from the word go, making full use of the field restrictions in the first 6 overs. Roy has been quite prolific with the bat in the recently concluded PSL. He doesn’t take too long to get himself grooved in, and thereafter he can take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Brendon McCullum

Perhaps it wouldn’t be an exaggeration in saying that Gujarat Lions have the most destructive opening pair. Roy at one end, and McCullum at the other, who of course needs no introduction to his batting prowess. The Kiwi batsman is sheer power personified. His 24-ball 35 showed glimpses of his strength, muscling deliveries that had nothing wrong with them. Many an innings by Brendon McCullum are a testimony to his dynamism, and the Lions will sure hope he recreates one of those big ones.

Suresh Raina

There’s one reason why this man is the highest run-getter in the history of the IPL, and that’s consistency. Be it for the Chennai Super Kings or the Lions, Raina has always stepped up to the task and delivered with the bat. At no.3, he brings in both experience and creativity. In Raina, Gujarat also have a finisher, who can add a good 50 runs at the death. Suresh Raina is, of course, the skipper of the Gujarat Lions, and he comes as an automatic selection for the game.

Dinesh Karthik

DK is perhaps one of the most underrated players in India today. As a keeper, he is sharp behind the stumps. His strength lies in his batting though. Karthik perfectly displayed his skills with the bat in the previous edition of the Champions Trophy. In the last match against KKR as well, he provided a cameo lower down the innings, propelling the Lions total above the 180 mark. As he is the Lions’ first-choice keeper, Karthik has cemented his spot in the team’s playing XI.

Ishaan Kishan

This youngster can pack a punch. Although an uncapped player, Ishaan Kishan has proved himself in the domestic sector. The 19-year-old boasts of the highest score of 273 in his first-class career. He can strike the ball cleanly and is a better-than-average wicketkeeper. If given the opportunity, Kishan could easily add a late burst in the innings for the Gujarat Lions.

James Faulkner

Many think of James Faulkner as a brilliant death overs bowler. However, they forget that the Aussie can be menacing with the bat as well. Faulkner has gained a reputation of winning games from almost impossible situations. The all-rounder has the ability to turn the game on its head with both bat and ball. Most importantly for the Lions, Faulkner will add much needed experience to the bowling attack. Yorkers at will and deceptive change-ups in pace make him a lethal bowler at the death.

Praveen Kumar

Little known fact – the bowler who’s delivered the most number of maiden overs in IPL history is Praveen Kumar. Although he doesn’t have much pace, Kumar can swing the ball away from the right-hander and cause trouble for batsmen in the corridor of uncertainty. He is accurate, consistent and is also a seasoned customer. Praveen Kumar has a knack of picking up wickets early in the innings, and hence strengthens any bowling line-up he’s part of.

Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel will be making a comeback to the IPL after 3 years. Another seasoned bowler, who was part of India’s world cup winning squad in 2011, Patel’s forte is his consistent line and length. He comes close to the wickets and bowls stump to stump, giving very little room for the batsman to free his arms. Munaf Patel is one of those bowlers who silently goes about his business and picks up wickets for his side. He was a vital bowler in the Rajasthan Royals line-up and will look to deliver with the same intensity for the Lions as well.

Dhawal Kulkarni

Kulkarni is a skiddy customer, who bowls reasonably quick but also has the variations up his sleeve. He was the leading wicket taker in the 2008-09 Ranji season. During his stint with the Mumbai Indians, Dhawal Kulkarni picked up some valuable advice from South African legend Shaun Pollock. A bowler who depends on seam movement, Kulkarni’s 4 overs up front can often put pressure on batsmen.

Shivil Kaushik

If there was an award for the most unorthodox bowling action in the IPL, it would go to this man Shivil Kaushik. For those who haven’t faced much of the left-arm chinaman, it’s hard to pick his release point. Kaushik can be a bit wayward with his line and length, but a left-arm chinaman bowler always brings in that mystery about him. Having played 7 games in the 2016 edition of the IPL, he picked up 6 wickets and will look to better that number this season.

Andrew Tye

Australia’s Andrew Tye has been a late bloomer but has impressed one and all with the ball. He has been very successful in the Australian domestic sector, picking up 13 wickets in the 2013-14 Ryobi Cup in just 5 matches. Tye also has performed at the international level and will bring in all his experience into play for the Gujarat Lions.

The Lions will sure look to make amends in their bowling department. They will have to get their act together, as they will be up against the likes of Warner, Henriques and Yuvraj Singh from SRH.