IPL 2016, DD vs GL Playing 11: Probable Squad for Suresh Raina Gujarat Lions (Confirmed Playing 11)

Confirmed Playing 11: Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Ishan Kishan, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Pravin Tambe

The 23rd match of the VIVO IPL 2016 promises to be a thrilling encounter as the rampaging Gujarat Lions will take on the resurgent Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Gujarat may be one of the new franchises to have joined the IPL this year but they have performed like true champions by winning 4 out of their 5 matches. Delhi, on the other hand, staged a remarkable comeback after a heavy loss in their opening game to register 3 successive victories and take up the 3rd position on the points table. It will be a crucial match for both teams as they will be wanting to continue their successful run in the tournament so far.

Here's a look at the likely team which will play for the Gujarat Lions against the Daredevils:

Batting

The GL batting line-up has come up with a terrific performance in this season of the IPL so far. Opener Aaron Finch has led the way with 191 runs from 4 innings at a tremendous average of just under 64. Skipper Suresh Raina has also looked very good as he has scored 174 runs at an average slightly below 35.

Brendon McCullum seems to be regaining his touch as he has crossed the 100-run mark already in 5 innings. His opening partner from Chennai Super Kings, Dwayne Smith, has joined McCullum at the top of the order and they put together an explosive partnership in Gujarat's previous game against RCB.

Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has done a fine job too with 108 runs in 4 innings at a 50-plus average. If the batsmen can fire this way in the matches to come, GL may have a good chance of making it to the playoffs.

All-rounders

The all-rounders have done well mostly with the ball for the Gujarat Lions with Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja picking up regular wickets. In batting, though, the two of them have struggled to quite an extent. James Faulkner, meanwhile, has not been able to deliver the goods in either department.

The Lions will want their all-rounders to fire with both bat and ball in order to

consolidate themselves in the top half of the points table.

Bowling

The bowling department seems to be faring quite well for GL at the moment with most of their top bowlers having picked up wickets. Bravo has been the leader of the pack with 6 wickets followed by 44-year old leg-spinner Pravin Tambe, who has claimed 5 victims thus far in the 2016 IPL.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja has 4 wickets in as many matches and boasts of an economy rate of 6.14, which is brilliant for the T20 format. Seamer Dhawal Kulkarni has also managed to get 3 wickets under his belt. A consistent performance from the bowlers will help Gujarat's campaign flourish even more this year.

Probable Playing XI

Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina (c), Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shadab Jakati, Pravin Tambe.S