IPL 2017: Two new bowlers underwent a trial with Gujarat Lions

Gujarat Lions, the present wooden spooners of IPL 10, are yet to open their winning account thus far. In the two matches that they have played, they’ve been able to pick up only a solitary wicket, and for captain Suresh Raina, it is thus imperative to bolster the bowling attack.

Following the injuries to star bowlers Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja, the Gujarat Lions were left with little to no options. But as per latest developments, it has been known that the Keshav Bansal owned franchise held trials for two new bowlers, namely Tamil Nadu’s Rahil Shah, and Mumbai’s Ankit Soni. While the former is a left-arm spinner, the latter is a leg-spinner. The spin duo attended the trials at Rajkot’s stadium before Gujarat face off Rising Pune Supergiant in their next encounter.

Bravo suffered a hamstring injury during the Big Bash League and since then has not played competitive cricket.  He is currently in India, under medical observation, but won’t play in the IPL until at least the first half of the tourney.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja, who emerged as the answer to India’s bowling all-rounder during the long home season, is nursing a finger injury he picked up against Australia. However, the GL captain had hinted in their game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad that the Jamnagar bowler in all probability will play the next game, i.e. against Pune.

That Jadeja will most probably play the next game, it becomes unclear why the trials for two Indian bowlers were held. Either another Indian bowler from the team has suffered an injury, or Gujarat doesn’t want to leave anything on chance now, especially after the way they’ve started their 2017 campaign.

The match against Gujarat and Pune will be played today at Rajkot. And it won’t be a surprise if one of the two new spinners is seen in the playing XI.