IPL 2017: Suresh Raina reasons lack of experienced bowlers behind poor show

Gujarat Lions (GL) finish their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 campaign with only four victories in the season, sitting second from bottom of the points table. The team topped the table previous season and to account for the poor show of the side this season, skipper Suresh Raina reasoned the lack of experienced bowlers in the side. Getting the bowling combination right had been among GL’s major concerns in IPL 2017 while the batting had been comparatively consistent. Raina, talking about the imbalance, said the season was not very favourable for the team and one to forget for the members. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Gujarat Lions (GL) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), IPL 2017, Match 53 at Kanpur

Talking to BCCI after their final match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, Raina said, “We did not have those good, experienced bowlers and that is why we did not qualify this time. I think credit goes to other teams; they executed plans really well. We did not learn from them, especially the fast bowlers. We have not done well in the spin department. So, probably this was the season to forget. We were very disappointing but it still was learning for a few players like Ishan [Kishan], he really batted well; then Basil [Thampi], he bowled really well for us. But I think that is cricket – sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But this year was definitely a learning [experience] for us.” FULL CRICKET UPDATES: Gujarat Lions (GL) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), IPL 2017, Match 53 at Kanpur

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SRH, with the victory against GL, became the second team to qualify for the play-offs after Mumbai Indians (MI).