IPL 10, Match 31, GL v RCB, Gujarat Lions Predicted XI

Gujarat Lion and Royal Challengers Bangalore have followed a similar pattern and have occupied slots in the bottom half of the table. Only net run-rate and an extra match for RCB separates the two sides. It will certainly be a good contest when two pretty evenly matched teams face off on Thursday (April 27).

Gujarat Lion suffered a false start to the tournament when they were crushed by Kolkata Knight Riders and since then, the team hasn’t been able to keep the right foot. The good form of Suresh Raina, the skipper, augurs well for the team and good starts at the top have been pivotal in their two wins this season.

Focusing on the immediate future, coach Brad Hodge would want the top-order to take more responsibility. The problem begins right from the start where Dwayne Smith has failed to provide GL with a good start. Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch have shown glimpses of form, but haven’t been able to capitalise on the starts.

The middle order and the rest have been left to do most of the work. With the ball, Andrew Tye brought out the disciplined self in him in the games he has played till now, in terms of economy rate.

They haven’t had a great season so far and managed to win 2 out of their first 7 matches. Gujarat will look to change these digits and for that, they will look to keep their permutation and combination right. Here is the CricTracker’s Gujarat Lions Predicted XI for the GL v RCB encounter:

Openers (Jason Roy and Brendon McCullum):

It is likely that Gujarat Lion will tinker with their opening combination.  Though, as a pair, they haven’t been as successful as the team was expecting them to be, but Jason Roy should find a place above Aaron Finch for this slot.

The Lions’ most expensive buy in the 2017 player auctions, Jason Roy is an addition to the long list of potential overseas batsmen. He has been in fine form for the England team and came in the limelight after a stunning performance in the World T20 last year.

Brendon McCullum, with skipper Suresh Raina has been a pillar for Gujarat Lion this season.  He is averaging nearly 40 in IPL 2017 and has provided the Lions with the perfect start. With the batting not as deep as they would have liked in the absence of key all-rounders in Dwayne Bravo, the former Kiwi captain’s form has been integral to the side’s chances of victory.

Middle Order (Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Aaron Finch, Ishan Kishan):

Suresh Raina has been a great striker of the ball and has the ability to play under pressure. Raina’s strength has been to not allow bowlers to dictate him. He has been in sublime form and he will be looking to continue that against RCB on a smaller Chinnaswamy ground and against bowlers who have struggled.

Confident, fearless and oozing with talent, Dinesh Karthik is definitely proving his stature at this level. Both in the domestic circuit and so far in the IPL as well as he has been phenomenal. He has been the surprise package for GL this season, scoring 190 runs at an average of 38.

Aaron Finch didn’t have a good game against Kings XI Punjab but he is surely one of the most dangerous and explosive batsmen at this slot. He has played over 58 matches in IPL and scored over 1400 runs. His experience at this number would definitely help Gujarat Lion back on winning track.

The young left-handed batsman, Ishan Kishan has got some good starts this season but he hasn’t been able to convert the starts into a big score. He had a decent domestic season and should get his confidence back with a good knock.

All-Rounders (Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja):

Irfan Pathan found no buyers in the IPL auction and has come as a replacement for Dwayne Bravo. Irfan is coming from a great domestic season and would look to carry the form in the IPL. He has an experience of over 100 IPL matches and has scored 1137 runs at an average of 21.87.

With the ball in hand, the 32- year-old has picked 80 wickets at an economy of under 8. His ability to bat and the ball will provide stability to the side and can prove to be an X-factor for Gujarat Lions.

Ravindra Jadeja has failed to make an impact. The left-arm orthodox hasn’t had a major influence with the ball and has just two wickets in six games. He will also be looking to provide more balance to the side with his lower-order hitting and lift the poor form of the Lions’ spinners so far.

Bowlers (Dhawal Kulkarni, Andrew Tye, Basil Thampi)

Dhawal Kulkarni has been able to impress with his skiddy pace and rhythm. However, the pace bowler hasn’t quite shown the consistency expected from the leader of the attack. With Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel in the wings, Kulkarni will need to fire more often to retain himself in the playing eleven. With an economy of under 4, he definitely has a task to be performed for his side.

Andrew Tye made his dream debut in IPL by picking 5 wickets for just 17 runs including a hat-trick to record the best figures by an IPL debutant. He has been a part of the playing eleven since then. He has the ability to provide breakthroughs at crucial phase of the game. Tye again will have a responsibility to lead the bowling unit from the front.

Basil Thampi is probably the unluckiest bowler in this year’s IPL. The Kerela originated bowler has a good mixture of Yorkers and slower ones but has only two wickets registered to his name in the tournament so far. However, the statistics doesn’t do justice to his skills. He will have a good opportunity to boost his wickets tally against RCB as they will already be under pressure.