IPL 2016, GL vs SRH Playing 11: Today's Probable XI for Gujarat Lions, Finch will be playing

Gujarat Lions (GL) returns to the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after their last-ball win over the Mumbai Indians away from home. The Lions, debutants in the IPL, have gone off to a perfect start, taking maximum points from their 3 matches. The Sunrisers are literally entering the Lions den at Rajkot after a convincing win over Mumbai in their last game.

Gujarat Lions are looking the team to beat in this edition, during their perfect start and they seem to have got their team combination just about right with likes of Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Dwayne ‘Champion’ Bravo and Brendon McCullum picked up during the draft and some smart buys at the auction. Let’s check out how the Lions from Gujarat could line up against Hyderabad.

Batsman: With the likes of Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum the Gujarat Lions have possibly the most deadliest opening pair in T20 cricket. McCullum is yet to fire with the bat but his only big innings of 49 in this season came against the Rising Pune Supergiants at this very ground.

Finch is only second in the race for the Orange Cap behind Gambhir and stayed not out at the Wankhede in their last match against Mumbai Indians playing a match winning innings of 67.

Aaron Finach will most probably make it to Gujarat Lions Playing XI Today:

At Number 3 comes the Lions captain and highest run-getter in the history of the IPL Suresh Raina, and with his abilities, he can be a nightmare to any side. At Number 4 walks in Dinesh Karthik, and the wicket-keeper batsman from Tamil Nadu has proven his worth with the bat numerous occasions and when needed can hit the ball long.

All-rounders: The Lions probably have the best of the lot among all-rounders in the IPL with likes of Bravo, Jadeja, and Faulkner. Dwayne Bravo has shown that in the previous editions of the IPL, what a great match winner he can be.

He had probably won the match single-handedly with the bowl during the Lions opening encounter against Kings XI Punjab removing Miller and Maxwell in the same over and has already picked up 6 wickets during this edition. He is yet to fire with the bat, but it's only matter of time when he starts using long handle to good use.

Jadeja had missed the team's previous encounter with Mumbai due to his wedding but is likely to be in the starting 11 against the Sunrisers. Faulkner hasn’t been his usual self with both bat and bowl this season but it will be highly unlikely for the Gujarat coaching team to keep someone of Faulkner’s potential out of the starting 11.

Bowlers: The Gujarat bowling line-up may not look that star-studded with likes of Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shadab Jakati and Pravin Tambe but they have done their bit to ensure the Lions 100% start to this season and will give their best to ensure it stays that way.

Gujarat has a certain Dale Steyn in their Bowling department who took 19 wickets last season for the Sunrisers Hyderabad but it is unlikely the Gujarat Lions will break their winning combination to provide him with a start against his former employers.

Pravin Tambe 43 years young is a gem of a leg spinner and can come in handy with the bat. The same can be said for his namesake Praveen Kumar. Both Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni may not be the fastest of bowlers but can surely swing the ball and on a seaming wicket . Mind you, they will need to be at their very best against the likes of Warner and Morgan.

Final Playing XI: Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina(c), Dinesh Karthik, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Tambe, Shadab Jakati

Saw him doing 'lunges' with the team physio...should be available. #GLvSRH #IPL https://t.co/UFHRn1kfJJ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2016