Published: Apr 24, 2016, 07:15 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 24, 2016, 11:40 AM (IST)
Gujarat Lions (GL) were handed a setback when they endured a 10-wicket thrashing by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their previous match. It was GL’s first ever loss in Indian Premier League 2016 and it was indeed a wake up call for them. They take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday and a win will be the perfect way to respond, following a huge loss. GL skipper Suresh Raina played a lone hand for GL against SRH, which ensured they reached a respectable total. They will surely want other batsmen to make a significant contribution as well. Lets’ take a look at the 11 players that are likely to take field against RCB. Full cricket scorecard: Gujarat Lions vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Match 19, IPL 2016 at Rajkot
Top-order: Aaron Finch had a rare failure against SRH, where he was dismissed for a duck. Having scored three fifties in the opening three games, Finch is definitely GL’s key player the top. He will be partnered by Brendon McCullum, who has had a below par IPL by his standards so far. But GL will bank on him to come good against RCB. There is of course the ever-dependable Raina at No. 3, who is among one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. The top three, will have to the bulk of the scoring to set the platform for their middle-order. If at least one batsman bats through, GL can post a huge total in the board. Given that RCB has one of the weakest bowling attacks in the tournament, GL can certainly make their opposition pay.
Middle-order: Barring GL’s first game against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Dinesh Karthik has done very little with the bat in the other three games. Being an experienced campaigner, he will retain his place. Dwayne Smith may replace Dale Steyn in this match and if he does, he can come in at No. 5, followed by Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja. Smith is yet to play a game for GL and this could be the match in which he is unleashed. It could be unfair to drop Akshdeep Nath as he does not get to face many deliveries when he comes in to bat. GL may just give him another go in this match, but he will have to make his chance count this time around. He is a part-time medium-pacer as well and may come in handy at some point.
Bowlers: As mentioned above, it is likely that Steyn will be dropped for Smith as GL will want to bat a bit deeper. Smith is a decent medium-pacer as well and is clever with his variations. Praveen Kumar has failed to pick up a single wicket in the tournament so far and it will be a surprise, if he retains his place in the team. Pradeep Sangwan could replace him or GL may also decide to give fast bowler Amit Mishra his first game of the tournament.
Jadeja and Bravo will be entrusted to keep things tight in the middle overs and also pick up a few crucial wickets. Bravo in the recent past has been effective in the death and can cut the run flow in the end, which may swing the game in GL’s favour. Not to forget, GL also have Praveen Tambe, who has been an asset in the IPL and of course, Dhawal Kulkarni, who has been GL’s best bowler this season. His economy rate is well under 6 and has two scalps to his name in as many matches in IPL 2016 so far.
Gujarat Lions likely XI: Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshdeep Nath, Pradeep Sangwan/Amit Mishra, Praveen Tambe, Dhawal Kulkarni.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
