Published: Mar 23, 2017, 11:31 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 23, 2017, 11:31 AM (IST)
Gujarat Lions (GL) will aim to go further in the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, which could also be their final participation in the cash-rich tournament. Having consumed most of the players from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — who are currently on a two-year ban — the Gujarat Lions had a successful debut in the IPL 2016. Under the captaincy of Suresh Raina, the Gujarat Lions finished at the first position in the IPL 2016 points table, but failed in both their business end matches and missed out an opportunity to enter the final of IPL 9. However, with their squad for IPL 2017 looking as dangerous as it was last year, the Lions will aim for bigger achievements this year.
In the auction ahead of IPL 2017, Gujarat Lions (GL) made a few changes to their squad. While the core remains the same, they did chuck out a few domestic players in December 2016. In the auction which was held in late February, the Gujarat Lions (GL) ensured to add more to their firepower in both batting and the bowling departments. The biggest buy which the Gujarat Lions (GL) made a critical purchase in form of Jason Roy, the England limited-overs specialist who has been a terrific batsman for them of late.
In what came across as a very surprising move, the Gujarat Lions (GL) also brought in the former India pacer Munaf Patel into their bowling attack. Not many have noticed but the Gujarat Lions (GL) have also added Chirag Suri in their ranks. Suri has thus become the first-ever cricketer from the UAE to play in the cash-rich IPL.
Among the other additions which the Gujarat Lions (GL) made in the IPL 2017 auction were fast bowler Basil Thampi, former India cricketer Manpreet Gony, Shubam Agarwal, Tejas Singh Baroka, Pratham Singh and Shelley Shaurya in their side. Interestingly, the Gujarat Lions (GL) will also be about the services of Pravin Tambe, the senior Indian domestic spinner who has had a terrific run in the previous few editions of IPL.
It must also be remembered that the Gujarat Lions (GL) will be without the services of their pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. Steyn had suffered a nasty injury to his right shoulder during the first Test for South Africa in Australia, and has been away from the action since then.
| Date | Day | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| 7.4.17 | Friday | Gujarat Lions vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajkot | 8.00 PM |
| 7.4.17 | Sunday | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Lions | Hyderabad | 4.00 PM |
| 14.4.17 | Friday | Gujarat Lions vs Rising Pune Supergiant | Rajkot | 8.00 PM |
| 16.4.17 | Sunday | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Lions | Mumbai | 4.00 PM |
| 18.4.17 | Tuesday | Gujarat Lions vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | Rajkot | 8.00 PM |
| 21.4.17 | Friday | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions | Kolkata | 8.00 PM |
| 23.4.17 | Sunday | Gujarat Lions vs Kings XI Punjab | Rajkot | 4.00 PM |
| 27.4.17 | Thursday | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions | Bengaluru | 8.00 PM |
| 29.4.17 | Saturday | Gujarat Lions vs Mumbai Indians | Rajkot | 8.00 PM |
| 1.5.17 | Monday | Rising Pune Supergiant vs Gujarat Lions | Pune | 8.00 PM |
| 4.5.17 | Thursday | Delhi Daredevils vs Gujarat Lions | Delhi | 8.00 PM |
| 7.5.17 | Sunday | Kings XI Punjab vs Gujarat Lions | Mohali | 8.00 PM |
| 10.5.17 | Wednesday | Gujarat Lions vs Delhi Daredevils | Kanpur | 8.00 PM |
| 13.5.17 | Saturday | Gujarat Lions vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kanpur | 4.00 PM |
The Suresh Raina-led Gujarat Lions (GL) were the table-toppers in the IPL 2017, but they lost both the matches in the business end. While Gujarat will draw a lot of confidence from their exploits in the first round, they will want to make amends and go further into the IPL. The IPL 10 is set to be their last appearance in the cash-rich league, as two banned teams — Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) — will be set to return and Gujarat Lions may have to make way. However, BCCI can also extend the team base to 10 and thus help Gujarat Lions stay in the tournament.
