Since the Rajkot franchise didn't get first choice in the IPL draft, it was always going to be interesting to see who they went for. Aside from picking Suresh Raina, undoubtedly the IPL's most consistent batsman, they went for three all-rounders and a belligerent opener, knowing fully well that those players would cost a fortune when the IPL Auction came around.
They were proven right as players went for ridiculous sums of money (as per usual) and Gujarat Lions picked and chose the players they wanted and got them, irrespective of the cost, to plug the gaps in their squads. So who will open along with Brendon McCullum? Who will complement Dwayne Bravo and James Faulkner in the bowling attack?
Here is the Gujarat Lions Predicted 11:
Brendon McCullum
While there was little doubt that New Zealand wowed one and all with their tactics at the recently concluded World T20, it was a shame that we didn't get to see Brendon McCullum one last time. But the good thing about the IPL is that it has given the Indian spectators a chance to see him in action once again as he turns out for the Gujarat Lions.
At CSK, Baz was given the license to slay the bowling attack in the powerplay and he did not disappoint. It is fairly likely that his role won't change in a Lions side that is packed with plenty of big names, who have proven their worth in the IPL.
Aaron Finch
Brendon McCullum's partner in crime is likely to be Aaron Finch as Dwayne Smith hasn't been around the West Indian set-up and Finch is the player in form in any case. If the duo of Smith and Baz was belligerent for Chennai Super Kings, then one can only image the carnage that might arise when McCullum and Finch, two of the most destructive openers in the world came together for Gujarat Lions.
Although he is just one good innings away from crossing 1,000 IPL runs, he hasn't been able to replicate his T20I form in the IPL. For the Mumbai Indians, injury and presence of other options meant he was never quite able to fulfill the expectations. Hopefully, he can do that for Gujarat Lions. If he and Baz tee off at the same time, it will be a sight to savour.
Suresh Raina (C)
Suresh Raina might have problems against the short ball, might not be in good form with the bat, but when he adorns his IPL colours, he transforms into a completely different beast altogether. For eight years, he was the heartbeat of the Chennai Super Kings batting line-up. Whether it was going in at the fall of an early wicket and rebuilding or coming in and capitalising after a good start, Raina showed he could do it all.
It is therefore no surprise to note that he is the IPL's leading run-scorer and has been the most consistent run-getter across the eight years of the tournament. Now, in a new team, albeit with some of the same players, Raina will be hoping to captain his troops to a maiden title. Although he hasn't missed a single IPL game, captaincy is a fresh test as far as he is concerned and it is something he will be looking to sail through it in flying colours like he has done with the bat.
Dinesh Karthik (WK)
When it comes to exchange of cash among teams, few players have created more bidding wards over the course of the IPL as Dinesh Karthik. One of the reasons for that is the need for a good Indian wicketkeeper batsman. As there are only four slots available for foreigners, most teams tend to reserve those for batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders and not keepers.
Given good Indian keepers are a rare commodity and ones that play in the top order even more so, it is no surprise to see Karthik creating a flutter everywhere he goes. Although he doesn't have the most impressive record when it comes to IPL, he is the kind of batsman you need, if your side is in a bit of trouble and need to rebuild. While he has the shots to go big at the end if he is still there, his ability to rotate strike is an invaluable asset.
Dwayne Bravo
As he showed during the recently concluded World T20, there aren't many better death bowlers in cricket right now, better than Dwayne Bravo. While his Champion song and celebration may have hogged the majority of the limelight coming into the IPL, there can be little doubt that it is the carribean flair within Bravo that makes him the player he is.
Although he hasn't got as much batting as he should have in the IPL, courtesy of the strength of the Chennai Super Kings batting line-up, it is likely that he is given extra batting responsibility. And as he showed on a few occasions with CSK and with the Windies, if there is one thing that the all-rounderthrives on, that is responsibility.
James Faulkner
James Faulkner must have been thanking his lucky stars and thinking he could do no wrong going into the final group game against India, but he was brought back down to earth by a Virat Kohli masterclass. That should however take nothing away from his stellar performance in the tournament hitherto and coming into the IPL, he should be refreshed following a longer break than those the Indian and West Indian players enjoyed.
He has a firmly established pedigree as a finisher and although he is renowned for his exploits at the death, he might have to bowl an over or two with the new ball, thanks to the presence of Dwayne Bravo. No matter what role he performs, his performance will be crucial to Gujarat Lions' chances of walking away with a piece of silverware in their first season.
Ravindra Jadeja
When it was announced that Rajkot was going to be one of the two new franchises, all eyes turned to Ravindra Jadeja. And it was no surprise to see that the hometown favourite was picked by the Gujarat Lions franchise. Given half the matches will be played in Rajkot, a surface that affords plenty of assistance to the spinners, Jadeja will not only be handy in those games, but crucial to the new franchise's chances of doing well in the tournament.
Although his batting hasn't developed as much as he would have wanted. Coming in at No.7, he can still strike a few lusty blows and add to the total without too much fuss. His bullet arm and ability to make incredibly difficult catches look mundane will be another facet of his that will come in handy for the Lions.
Praveen Kumar
Although Praveen Kumar has been a long way away from any chance of a recall into the Indian side, his performances over the last couple of seasons in the IPL have shown that he isn't ready to fade gently into the night just yet. Capable of swinging the ball both aways at the start of the innings and bowling accurate yorkers at the end, Praveen certainly has plenty of things going his way.
Add to that, the fact that he can also clear the boundary, with the bat and you have the ideal No.8 that every side would be looking for. While he might not have the raw pace that some others do, he has the tactical nous to outwit the batsman and the Lions will be hoping that he does just that.
Dhawal Kulkarni
Such is the all-conquering nature of the IPL that it is almost impossible to go through unnoticed for any period of time. But that is precisely what Dhawal Kulkarni has done through the previous editions of the tournament. A street-smart bowler who knows what he can do and what his limits, he was in many ways, the unsung hero of the Mumbai Indians bowling line-up that became a force to be reckoned with, in the last two editions of the tournament.
Whenever he has been given the opportunity to play for India as well, he has taken it with both hands and shown that he isn't out of his depth in the international arena. When it comes to the IPL, he has proven himself to be an efficient and effective bowler, who keeps thing and comes up with a crucial wicket or two from time to time. And that is precisely what his side will want from him.
Shadab Jakati
The last of the Chennai Super Kings connection in this Gujarat Lions line-up is Shadab Jakati. The 35-year-old from Goa was a relative unknown before he was plucked by the CSK scouts in the earlier editions of the IPL. And although he has little mystery to his slow left-arm spin, he has proven himself to be an effective customer on pitches that offer a hint of turn.
Given pitches at Rajkot traditionally offer more than just a bit of turn, he is certain to love bowling at home, just like he did, during his time at CSK. While he might be replaced for a foreign fast bowler, in case the situations don't favour him, he will certainly make an impact on this side, just like he did at CSK.
Pravin Tambe
The Indian Premier League has been the home of several success stories and at times, even fairytales, but none more special than Pravin Tambe. While unknown uncapped players were being sold for crores, it was certainly surprising to see Tambe cost just 20 lakhs.
While it is true that he is 44, the fact that he was only plucked from obscurity by Rajasthan Royals in 2013 means there is no question of him fading away immediately. Costing just 10 lakhs more than his base price, he was a steal for the Gujarat Lions and the legbreak bowler will be hoping to repay the faith shown by his side by continue his impressive form that has continued ever since he made his IPL debut at the age of 41.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download Cric Rocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more!
