IPL 10, Match 35, GL v MI - Gujarat Lions Predicted XI

Gujarat Lions, the table toppers last season have found it difficult this year to replicate the similar performance. They are right now at the bottom half of the table and need to win 5 out of their remaining six matches to qualify for playoffs.

Unlike last year, Lions were found wanting against almost every opposition largely due to their poor bowling attack. They would need to find the perfect combination as their next game is at home against the in-form Mumbai Indians.

Lions’ batting order looks settled and more often than not they have scored enough runs on the board to overcome their weakness in bowling. Bowlers looked in command in their last game against RCB and they would love to continue in the same vein of form against the mighty Mumbai Indians.

The side led by Suresh Raina needs to continue the winning momentum they gained against RCB to keep their hopes of making it to the playoffs alive. Here we look at CricTracker predicted XI for Gujarat Lions.

Openers (Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch)

Brendon McCullum has been in fine form this season and has looked to attack the bowlers from the word go. He has scored 267 runs in 8 innings at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 145 in which he has smacked 16 colossal maximums. His batting in the power play against the mighty Mumbai attack could be crucial in a must win game.

Aaron Finch blazed his way to the fastest half century of this season against RCB in the last game. He bludgeoned all the bowlers chasing a small total and his destructive batting could open the much-needed floodgates for the batsmen to follow.

Finch, who has struggled all season until the last match has to open the innings now. He along with McCullum could be a dangerous combination on any given day.

Middle Order (Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan)

Suresh Raina has led from the front and was the orange cap holder before Gambhir took over from him today. He is the only player in IPL to have scored over 300 runs in every season. Raina has scored all his runs at an amazing strike rate of around 142 and Lions would once again require his trailblazing to come up trumps against the visitors. 

Karthik came into the IPL on the back of scintillating performances in domestic One-day, T20 and Ranji Trophy. But somehow he has not been able to replicate it in this tournament. He has scored only one half century and needs to contribute more to his team. 

Ishan Kishan, the youngster, has done enough to keep his place in the side and his striking abilities were on show against RCB when the two teams met earlier this season. He struck 40 runs off just 16 deliveries and his innings was studded with 4 huge maximums. Ishan opened in the last game and scored a quickfire 16. But Gujarat needs him at the back end of the innings to give the much-needed boost to their side.

AllRounders (Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner)

Ravindra Jadeja has now settled into the side and is looking good with the ball in the hand. He looked out of sorts completely in a few matches coming back into the side after a hectic season and break. Though he has not contributed much with the bat, he is a good option to have down the order in case the top order fails.

For unknown reasons, James Faulkner was not included in the playing XI for almost first half of the season despite being the reputed hitter in the death overs. He is also a specialist bowler at the end of the innings.

His back of the hand slower balls are very hard to pick for the batsmen and it would require a lot of those against the Mumbai Indians batsmen.

Bowlers (Andrew Tye, Basil Thampi, Nathu Singh, Ankit Soni)

Andrew Tye has been the consistent bowler for them in this season and has a 5-wicket haul to his name including a hat-trick. He was the nemesis of the RCB batsmen and ended up with the magical figures of 3/12. Tye is the second highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets and has conceded only at 6.6 runs per over. Lions would require his bowling if they are hoping to finish the tournament in the top 4.

Basil Thampi has been one of the finds of the IPL this year. He is an excellent bowler at the death and already many former international players have hailed him. His pinpoint yorkers at 140 kmph are the worst nightmares for the batsmen. Though he has not been amongst the wickets Thampi has been the key player and will only improve as the tournament progresses.

Nathu Singh, another exciting young prospect and fast bowler, will keep his place in the side as he has performed well in the two games he has played so far. He deserves more opportunities to prove his worth in the shortest format of the game.

Ankit Soni, the like for like replacement for the injured Shivil Kaushik, was drafted into the playing XI right away. He didn’t disappoint though and returned with the figures of 1/28 off 3 overs picking up the crucial wicket of Pawan Negi who was looking threatening.