IPL 2017 GL vs DD: Gujarat Lions (GL) today's probable playing 11 against Delhi Daredevils (DD)

Gujarat Lions have nothing to play for but pride. Despite chasing down a mammoth 189 in their previous game against Kings XI Punjab, the Lions were eliminated as other results did not go in their favour.

However, they will still be looking for a win when they host the Delhi Daredevils at the Green Park. The Daredevils are coming off an absolute hiding that they received at the hands of the Mumbai Indians. They were dismissed for a meagre 66 and could still be smarting when they come up against a strong Gujarat side.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, GL vs DD Match Prediction: Who Will Win the match between Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils, Match 50

Take a look at how the Lions could line-up in the dead rubber.

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Openers

Dwayne Smith

The West Indian struggled for form and timing throughout the tournament but came good in the Lions’ last match. Smith scored a blistering 74 off just 39 balls to propel the chase and will look to carry that momentum into the game against Delhi.

Ishan Kishan

The youngster has gotten his side off to fast starts more often than not in this tournament. While his talent was wasted lower down the order in the early stages of IPL 2017, the Lions finally decided to move him up to the top where he has shown his immense potential. Kishan has scored 112 runs in his last 4 innings at a healthy strike rate.

Middle order

Suresh Raina

Can Raina continue his good form?

The skipper is Gujarat’s highest run-getter of the season and the third highest overall with 434 runs in 12 matches. Raina has scored at an impressive strike rate of 146.12 and if he can see off Delhi’s pacers early, the southpaw can go after Amit Mishra later in the innings. Raina will be disappointed with the fact that he was overlooked for India’s Champions Trophy squad and will want to prove to the selectors that they made a mistake dropping him.

Aaron Finch

Finch has failed to live up to expectations in IPL 2017. While he has been forced to bat at the unfamiliar No. 4 slot, a player of his calibre should have had more of an impact in the tournament. The Aussie has crossed the 50-run mark just once in this edition of the IPL but will look to finish off the tournament in style.

Dinesh Karthik

Gujarat’s second best player by far, Karthik has managed 321 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 40 and strike rate just under 140. The wicketkeeper also has 7 dismissals to his name in what has been a solid IPL campaign.

All-rounders

Ravindra Jadeja

In an extremely disappointing season, Jadeja has managed just 5 wickets in his last 10 matches. He has failed with the bat as well scoring just 125 runs in that period. The all-rounder will need to regain some form ahead of India’s Champions Trophy campaign.

James Faulkner

Faulkner was taken to the cleaners by Punjab’s batsmen while bowling and did not get to bat either. However, he will retain his spot only due to the fact that Gujarat have no other overseas option at their disposal. Faulkner has had a mediocre tournament by his standards and has gone wicketless in his last 3 outings.

Bowlers

Dhawal Kulkarni

Kulkarni was expected to lead Gujarat’s bowling line-up at the start of the tournament but he has failed miserably in that aspect. Kulkarni has managed just 5 appearances for the Lions this season and has picked up just 2 wickets. Kulkarni did manage to find some semblance of form in the previous game against KXIP and that should help him retain his place in the line-up.

Pradeep Sangwan

Sangwan missed most of the IPL but returned to the side in the game against Pune. He performed admirably in that match picking up 2 wickets and followed that up with 2 more in his next couple of games against Mumbai and Punjab. His death bowling is a worry for the Lions and Morris and co. could take him apart in the back end.

Basil Thampi

After struggling initially, Thampi has found himself amongst the wickets recently. While he has been expensive – he has conceded 123 runs in his last 3 matches – he has still looked quite threatening. Thampi has scalped 10 wickets in 11 matches and is a more than handy first change bowler.

Ankit Soni

The 23-year-old is a bright prospect but has failed to shine this IPL. Soni has managed just 2 wickets in 5 matches and has gone wicketless in his last 3 matches.