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.

<strong>Let’s analyse their possible best combination for the playing XI:</strong>

<strong>Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119944" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119944" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

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.<br>

<strong>Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119934" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119934" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

The middle order is solid for the Gujarat Lions. The IPL has witnessed what destruction Suresh Raina can cause in the previous nine seasons. Playing at no 3, Raina becomes one of the most important batsmen for the entire team as his dismissal might break open the team. With Raina regularly making over 300 runs in all the seasons of the IPL, it would be interesting to see if he could make it this year too with the form he is in.

Dinesh Karthik, this season has been sensational for Tamil Nadu in the both the Ranji Trophy as well as the Vijay Hazare trophy and it would be interesting to see what impact Karthik could make to the middle order of the Lion team. If Karthik could show 75% of his form that he showed in the domestic season, then runs are sure to leak for the opposition bowlers. He had a relatively quiet season last year and would look to make amends to it.

<strong> Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulker</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119931" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Dwayne Bravo would be one of the marquee players for any IPL side. His contribution not only in the batting and bowling but also in the fielding is the factor that separates Gujarat Lions from the rest of the IPL teams. Raina would throw the ball to Bravo in the 16th over of the game and Bravo would respond with a wicket or two. This is what separates Bravo from the rest.

Off-late Jadeja has had a purple patch with his bowling; it would be interesting to see if the batsman Jadeja makes any difference to the team. Jadeja is one of the mainstay players for the Lions and Raina would be happy to see his batting form improve which could make a difference.

James Faulkner was one of Rajasthan’s premier players in IPL. Gujarat was smart enough to pick up two foreign all-rounders who could make a lot of difference. Faulkner’s form is a worry for Raina and his side, but the captain would be optimistic of the all-rounder&#8217;s return to form.

<strong>Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119932" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg" alt="Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni." width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119932" class="wp-caption-text">Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni.(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Suresh Raina and the management would have to take some tough decisions to take in deciding the three fast bowlers to pick in the playing XI. Raina would preferably go for the experienced three seamers, and that would be Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni.

Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni will open the bowling for the Lions as they did in the previous season. This combination was heavily praised by the critics last season. Praveen Kumar is probably one of the best exponents of swing bowling in our country. His lethal in-swingers combined with the teasing out-swingers would give the batsmen a trouble or two.

Dhawal Kulkarni, too on the other bowls at a good pace hitting the right lengths of the track. It would be interesting to see how Suresh Raina manages to give overs to his bowlers since the inclusion of Bravo and Faulkner.

Munaf Patel might have a slight edge over Nathu Singh due to the experience that Patel possesses in abundance. Patel’s stump to stump bowling might just create the right pressure for the other bowlers to take wickets.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119933" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg" alt="Shivil Kaushik" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119933" class="wp-caption-text">Shivil Kaushik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

The Karnataka’s Paul Adam Shival Kaushik might be the only specialised spinner that Lions would pick. He has impressed the Lions and the captain Suresh Raina in the last season. Kaushik’s consistency has been a worry for Raina in the previous season, and this might be just a motivation for Kaushik to perform day in and day out.<br>It would be interesting to see if Shival Kaushik manages to retain his position in this star-studded line-up of Gujarat Lions.

Jason Roy and Aaron might get a chance or two to stretch their hands on the pitch. The openers would have to extremely careful to maintain their form. Otherwise, they would lose their spot in the team to the either of the Openers.

AkshDeep Nath, Ishan Kishan and Jayadev Shah might just have to wait for injuries or bad performances to replace the star-studded middle-order line-up for the Lions.

Manpreet Singh Gony, Nathu Singh have the best of chances amongst the substitutes to replace either Praveen Kumar or Munaf Patel. Nathu Singh, in particular, has looked menacing with some good pace under his belt. It would be exciting to see Nathu Singh get an opportunity at this level which would give him the boost required to perform well.

Shadab Jakati too might get a chance or two to replace Shivil Kaushik with Jakati’s ability to score few runs down the order.

<strong>Gujarat Lions&#8217; final squad for IPL 2017:</strong>

Suresh Raina (Captain),Brendon McCullum, Ravindra Jadeja, Andrew Tye, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aaron Finch, AkshDeep Nath, Dwayne Bravo, Praveen Kumar, James Faulkner, Jaydev Shah, Dwayne Smith, Shabad Jakati, Jason Roy, Pradeep Sangwan, Shivil Kaushik, Nathu Singh, Basil Thampy, TS Baroka, Dinesh Karthik, Manpreet Gony, Pratham Singh, Shubam Agarwal, Shelley Shaurya, Ishan Kishan, Munaf Patel

<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h4><strong>Let’s analyse their possible best combination for the playing XI:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Openers:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119944" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119944" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-119944" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith" width="600" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119944" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.<br>
</p>
<h4><strong>Middle Order:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119934" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119934" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-119934" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik" width="600" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119934" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The middle order is solid for the Gujarat Lions. The IPL has witnessed what destruction Suresh Raina can cause in the previous nine seasons. Playing at no 3, Raina becomes one of the most important batsmen for the entire team as his dismissal might break open the team. With Raina regularly making over 300 runs in all the seasons of the IPL, it would be interesting to see if he could make it this year too with the form he is in.</p>
<p>Dinesh Karthik, this season has been sensational for Tamil Nadu in the both the Ranji Trophy as well as the Vijay Hazare trophy and it would be interesting to see what impact Karthik could make to the middle order of the Lion team. If Karthik could show 75% of his form that he showed in the domestic season, then runs are sure to leak for the opposition bowlers. He had a relatively quiet season last year and would look to make amends to it.</p>
<h4><strong>All Rounder:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong> Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulker</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119931" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-119931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner" width="600" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119931" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Dwayne Bravo would be one of the marquee players for any IPL side. His contribution not only in the batting and bowling but also in the fielding is the factor that separates Gujarat Lions from the rest of the IPL teams. Raina would throw the ball to Bravo in the 16th over of the game and Bravo would respond with a wicket or two. This is what separates Bravo from the rest.</p>
<p>Off-late Jadeja has had a purple patch with his bowling; it would be interesting to see if the batsman Jadeja makes any difference to the team. Jadeja is one of the mainstay players for the Lions and Raina would be happy to see his batting form improve which could make a difference.</p>
<p>James Faulkner was one of Rajasthan’s premier players in IPL. Gujarat was smart enough to pick up two foreign all-rounders who could make a lot of difference. Faulkner’s form is a worry for Raina and his side, but the captain would be optimistic of the all-rounder’s return to form.</p>
<h4><strong>Fast Bowlers:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119932" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119932" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-119932" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg" alt="Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni." width="600" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119932" class="wp-caption-text">Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni.(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Suresh Raina and the management would have to take some tough decisions to take in deciding the three fast bowlers to pick in the playing XI. Raina would preferably go for the experienced three seamers, and that would be Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni.</p>
<p>Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni will open the bowling for the Lions as they did in the previous season. This combination was heavily praised by the critics last season. Praveen Kumar is probably one of the best exponents of swing bowling in our country. His lethal in-swingers combined with the teasing out-swingers would give the batsmen a trouble or two.</p>
<p>Dhawal Kulkarni, too on the other bowls at a good pace hitting the right lengths of the track. It would be interesting to see how Suresh Raina manages to give overs to his bowlers since the inclusion of Bravo and Faulkner.</p>
<p>Munaf Patel might have a slight edge over Nathu Singh due to the experience that Patel possesses in abundance. Patel’s stump to stump bowling might just create the right pressure for the other bowlers to take wickets.</p>
<h4><strong>Spinner:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Shivil Kaushik</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119933" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119933" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-119933" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg" alt="Shivil Kaushik" width="600" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119933" class="wp-caption-text">Shivil Kaushik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Karnataka’s Paul Adam Shival Kaushik might be the only specialised spinner that Lions would pick. He has impressed the Lions and the captain Suresh Raina in the last season. Kaushik’s consistency has been a worry for Raina in the previous season, and this might be just a motivation for Kaushik to perform day in and day out.<br>
It would be interesting to see if Shival Kaushik manages to retain his position in this star-studded line-up of Gujarat Lions.</p>
<h4><strong>Possible Replacements:</strong></h4>
<p>Jason Roy and Aaron might get a chance or two to stretch their hands on the pitch. The openers would have to extremely careful to maintain their form. Otherwise, they would lose their spot in the team to the either of the Openers.</p>
<p>AkshDeep Nath, Ishan Kishan and Jayadev Shah might just have to wait for injuries or bad performances to replace the star-studded middle-order line-up for the Lions.</p>
<p>Manpreet Singh Gony, Nathu Singh have the best of chances amongst the substitutes to replace either Praveen Kumar or Munaf Patel. Nathu Singh, in particular, has looked menacing with some good pace under his belt. It would be exciting to see Nathu Singh get an opportunity at this level which would give him the boost required to perform well.</p>
<p>Shadab Jakati too might get a chance or two to replace Shivil Kaushik with Jakati’s ability to score few runs down the order.</p>
<h4><strong>Gujarat Lions’ final squad for IPL 2017:</strong></h4>
<p>Suresh Raina (Captain),Brendon McCullum, Ravindra Jadeja, Andrew Tye, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aaron Finch, AkshDeep Nath, Dwayne Bravo, Praveen Kumar, James Faulkner, Jaydev Shah, Dwayne Smith, Shabad Jakati, Jason Roy, Pradeep Sangwan, Shivil Kaushik, Nathu Singh, Basil Thampy, TS Baroka, Dinesh Karthik, Manpreet Gony, Pratham Singh, Shubam Agarwal, Shelley Shaurya, Ishan Kishan, Munaf Patel</p>

<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h4><strong>Let’s analyse their possible best combination for the playing XI:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Openers:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119944" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119944" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119944" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum-and-Dwayne-Smith.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119944" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.<br>
</p>
<h4><strong>Middle Order:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119934" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119934" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119934" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-Dinesh-Karthik.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119934" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The middle order is solid for the Gujarat Lions. The IPL has witnessed what destruction Suresh Raina can cause in the previous nine seasons. Playing at no 3, Raina becomes one of the most important batsmen for the entire team as his dismissal might break open the team. With Raina regularly making over 300 runs in all the seasons of the IPL, it would be interesting to see if he could make it this year too with the form he is in.</p>
<p>Dinesh Karthik, this season has been sensational for Tamil Nadu in the both the Ranji Trophy as well as the Vijay Hazare trophy and it would be interesting to see what impact Karthik could make to the middle order of the Lion team. If Karthik could show 75% of his form that he showed in the domestic season, then runs are sure to leak for the opposition bowlers. He had a relatively quiet season last year and would look to make amends to it.</p>
<h4><strong>All Rounder:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong> Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulker</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119931" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Dwayne-Bravo-Ravindra-Jadeja-and-James-Faulker.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119931" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and James Faulkner. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Dwayne Bravo would be one of the marquee players for any IPL side. His contribution not only in the batting and bowling but also in the fielding is the factor that separates Gujarat Lions from the rest of the IPL teams. Raina would throw the ball to Bravo in the 16th over of the game and Bravo would respond with a wicket or two. This is what separates Bravo from the rest.</p>
<p>Off-late Jadeja has had a purple patch with his bowling; it would be interesting to see if the batsman Jadeja makes any difference to the team. Jadeja is one of the mainstay players for the Lions and Raina would be happy to see his batting form improve which could make a difference.</p>
<p>James Faulkner was one of Rajasthan’s premier players in IPL. Gujarat was smart enough to pick up two foreign all-rounders who could make a lot of difference. Faulkner’s form is a worry for Raina and his side, but the captain would be optimistic of the all-rounder&#8217;s return to form.</p>
<h4><strong>Fast Bowlers:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119932" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119932" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119932" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Munaf-Patel-Praveen-Kumar-Dhawal-Kulkarni..jpg" alt="Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni." width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119932" class="wp-caption-text">Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni.(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Suresh Raina and the management would have to take some tough decisions to take in deciding the three fast bowlers to pick in the playing XI. Raina would preferably go for the experienced three seamers, and that would be Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni.</p>
<p>Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni will open the bowling for the Lions as they did in the previous season. This combination was heavily praised by the critics last season. Praveen Kumar is probably one of the best exponents of swing bowling in our country. His lethal in-swingers combined with the teasing out-swingers would give the batsmen a trouble or two.</p>
<p>Dhawal Kulkarni, too on the other bowls at a good pace hitting the right lengths of the track. It would be interesting to see how Suresh Raina manages to give overs to his bowlers since the inclusion of Bravo and Faulkner.</p>
<p>Munaf Patel might have a slight edge over Nathu Singh due to the experience that Patel possesses in abundance. Patel’s stump to stump bowling might just create the right pressure for the other bowlers to take wickets.</p>
<h4><strong>Spinner:</strong></h4>
<h4><strong>Shivil Kaushik</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_119933" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-119933" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/03/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-119933" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shivil-Kaushik.jpg" alt="Shivil Kaushik" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-119933" class="wp-caption-text">Shivil Kaushik. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Karnataka’s Paul Adam Shival Kaushik might be the only specialised spinner that Lions would pick. He has impressed the Lions and the captain Suresh Raina in the last season. Kaushik’s consistency has been a worry for Raina in the previous season, and this might be just a motivation for Kaushik to perform day in and day out.<br>
It would be interesting to see if Shival Kaushik manages to retain his position in this star-studded line-up of Gujarat Lions.</p>
<h4><strong>Possible Replacements:</strong></h4>
<p>Jason Roy and Aaron might get a chance or two to stretch their hands on the pitch. The openers would have to extremely careful to maintain their form. Otherwise, they would lose their spot in the team to the either of the Openers.</p>
<p>AkshDeep Nath, Ishan Kishan and Jayadev Shah might just have to wait for injuries or bad performances to replace the star-studded middle-order line-up for the Lions.</p>
<p>Manpreet Singh Gony, Nathu Singh have the best of chances amongst the substitutes to replace either Praveen Kumar or Munaf Patel. Nathu Singh, in particular, has looked menacing with some good pace under his belt. It would be exciting to see Nathu Singh get an opportunity at this level which would give him the boost required to perform well.</p>
<p>Shadab Jakati too might get a chance or two to replace Shivil Kaushik with Jakati’s ability to score few runs down the order.</p>
<h4><strong>Gujarat Lions&#8217; final squad for IPL 2017:</strong></h4>
<p>Suresh Raina (Captain),Brendon McCullum, Ravindra Jadeja, Andrew Tye, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aaron Finch, AkshDeep Nath, Dwayne Bravo, Praveen Kumar, James Faulkner, Jaydev Shah, Dwayne Smith, Shabad Jakati, Jason Roy, Pradeep Sangwan, Shivil Kaushik, Nathu Singh, Basil Thampy, TS Baroka, Dinesh Karthik, Manpreet Gony, Pratham Singh, Shubam Agarwal, Shelley Shaurya, Ishan Kishan, Munaf Patel</p>

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 Challe