IPL 2017: Gujarat Lions’ Best Possible XI

Keshav Bansal’s team Gujarat Lions were riding on a fairy-tale run in their first season of IPL. Their fairy-tale run was crushed by the mighty Royal Challengers Bangalore who defeated them in the semi-finals of the tournament. The tenth season of the IPL also marks the last season for Keshav’s team as their contract in the IPL would get over.

The team from Gujarat released one of IPL’s favourite fast bowler Dale Steyn from their squad to accommodate new faces to strengthen their squad. The move raised an eyebrow or two, but the management was more than happy to accommodate new faces in the squad.

Gujarat Lions were a mere spectator for the most part of the IPL 2017 Auction but went on a spending spree in the post-lunch session grabbing England’s swashbuckling opener Jason Roy, the veteran bowler Munaf Patel and CSK fame Manpreet Gony. They also acquired UAE’s Chirag Suri, who also happens to be one of the six Associate team members who found a place in this year’s IPL.

Nathu Singh, another promising bowler in the domestic circuit, was also picked by the Lions. The 21-year-old was the first signing for the Lions, bought for Rs 50 lakh.

Brad Hodge and his team did more than a decent job in getting the players that they need at a comparatively lower price than the other players on the list.

Let’s analyse their possible best combination for the playing XI:

Openers:

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith

Gujarat Lions are a heavily loaded top order side in the Indian Premier League. Before the 2017 IPL Auction, the Lions had three openers in a bag with Brendon McCullum, and Dwayne Smith preferred as the openers ahead of Aaron Finch. With Jason Roy and Aaron Finch on the bench, it would give the opening pair of Smith and McCullum a scare or two.

Jason Roy has been in splendid form in the recent tour of India in India which was also one of the main reasons that he got picked up by the Lions. It would be tough for Jason Roy and Aaron Finch to get picked up front in place of McCullum and Dwayne Smith.