Twitter Reaction: Delighted fans welcome Gujarat Lions

The newly formed Rajkot franchise has been named as Gujarat Lions. Suresh Raina will lead the team while Brad Hodge has been appointed as the head coach.

Suresh Raina was previously part of the Chennai Super Kings while Brad Hodge has played for three IPL franchises – Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala and most recently Rajasthan Royals.

The names of the team and its logo, skipper and coach were announced in the Capital on Tuesday where Raina and team owner Keshav Bansal were also present. Bansal said the team’s name was chosen through an online poll and Rajkot will be its home ground.

“The team name was chosen after a poll on social media where Gujarat Lions was the most voted name.” Our home ground will be Rajkot. We are in talks with Gujarat government and may come up with an academy there,” said Bansal.

Raina was also equally excited about his new team and role.

“I urge everyone to support Gujarat Lions, the first IPL team from the region,” Raina said at the event.

“I am excited about the auction and will sit with team coach and owner to decide on the players,” the seasoned IPL campaigner added.

The Rajkot side is one of the two new franchises which were introduced to the Indian Premier League. The other new franchise is Rising Pune Giant led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The team as of now includes names like Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Bravo. All of them were picked in the IPl draft held last November.

Welcome to the family – Gujarat Lions #GL #IPL – @TheGujaratLions pic.twitter.com/GO0TADUAsK

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 2, 2016

Suresh Raina unrevealed the #Rajkot team and Logo… pic.twitter.com/qqLmKifoJB

— Sanjay Rathod (@Sanjay_Vis) February 2, 2016

I am ready to ROAR with @TheGujaratLions! Are you?

— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) February 2, 2016

Surely they could have come up with a more elaborate name. Someone's taking their job way too easy. State name + Animal name = Gujarat Lions

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 2, 2016

https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/694417827478941696

New IPL team Gujarat Lions mascot ? ? pic.twitter.com/qnjWJn5cVD

— Chika Pikaa Rikaa (@Simply_neev) February 2, 2016

Only befitting that a former Super King leads Gujarat Lions in their promising inaugural season.

Super stoked about the #IPL already!

— Shiv (@ForwardDefence) February 2, 2016

Rising Pune "Super" Giants is inspired by CSK name and Gujarat "Lions" by it's logo! But Pune needs to change its name! #IPL

— Vighas Senguttuvan (@Vighas_S) February 2, 2016

Gujarat is famous for lions. Be it Asiatic lions at Gir or a lion at Delhi. Very appropriate name for Rajkot IPL franchise: Gujarat Lions

— Jatan Acharya (@jatanacharya) February 2, 2016

I urge everyone to support #GujaratLions, the first #IPL team from the region: @ImRaina

— cricketnext (@cricketnext) February 2, 2016

Gujarat Lions and Pune Super Giants! Somehow these two names resembles Chennai Super Kings.. #IPL

— Kiswanth ✨ (@kiswanth14) February 2, 2016

Our #GujaratLions Team so far #OneTeamOneDream @TheGujaratLions RT if you are ready to Roar for our Team https://t.co/UC0mIKLj1N

— Rakesh (@ImTheRakesh) February 2, 2016

The yawning feline in the Gujarat Lions logo is a funny sher.

— T. Gautham Shenoy (@theBekku) February 2, 2016

New IPL team Gujarat Lions.
Who is the mascot? Narendra Modi or Parthiv Patel ?

— Amit A (@Amit_smiling) February 2, 2016

So 8 IPL Teams confirmed:

RCB
MI
KKR
SRH
KXIP
DD
RPS ( Rising Pune Supergiants )
GL ( Gujarat Lions )

— SHAIK KHASEEM VALLI (@KHASEEM4AP) February 2, 2016

#IPL2016
*Gujarat Lions Match*
"A huge six by Raina!"
*camera on cheer leaders playing dandiya*
♫DHOLIDA DHOL REH VAGAD MARE HIT LEVI CHE ♫

— Dead Mau5hi (@AdvancedMaushi) February 2, 2016

It would be sheer disappointment if Falguni Pathak doesn't get to sing the official song of Gujarat Lions.

— Skit Hub (@skit_hub) February 2, 2016

Can't wait for the owner of Gujarat Lions to reveal a logo that has 2 dandiya sticks on it.

— Dead Mau5hi (@AdvancedMaushi) February 2, 2016

The colours and logo give a CSK feel to the Gujarat Lions!

— Prakrut Chauhan (@imprakrut) February 2, 2016

Gujarat Lions preparing for the coming #IPL season pic.twitter.com/euiK2atXEn

— Dataharvester (@Rishi_Muni) February 2, 2016