The Gujarat Lions led the table for much of their first season in the Indian Premier League but things all unravelled in the playoffs so they will be out to make up for that in their second season in the tournament. With some global superstars in their ranks they will certainly catch the eye on their day.
Stats
Last Season: 3rd (1st in Regular Season)
Captain: Suresh Raina
Key Players: Brendon McCullum & James Faulkner
Best Odds: 13/2
Predicted Finishing Position: Playoffs
Fixtures
Friday April 7 – Kolkata Knight Riders (h)
Sunday April 9 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (a)
Friday April 14 – Rising Pune Supergiant (h)
Sunday April 16 – Mumbai Indians (a)
Tuesday April 18 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Friday April 21 – Kolkata Knight Riders (a)
Sunday April 23 – Kings XI Punjab (h)
Thursday April 27 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Saturday April 29 – Mumbai Indians (h)
Monday May 1 – Rising Pune Supergiant (a)
Thursday May 4 – Delhi Daredevils (a)
Sunday May 7 – Kings XI Punjab (a)
Wednesday May 10 – Delhi Daredevils (h)
Saturday May 13 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (h)
Auction
Most expensive signing: Jason Roy
Other notable signings: Manpreet Gony, Munaf Patel
Strengths
There is no doubt at all that the strength of this Gujarat Lions side is with the bat. The have the ability to send out one of the most explosive batting line ups in the entire IPL, a line up which will be capable of blowing any bowling attack away. If their strength can be their weakness then there may not be much glue in the order but if they fire they could score anything.
Weaknesses
With that batting strength comes a weakness with the ball and that was accentuated further when Ravi Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo were ruled out of the beginning of the competition. Having them back at some point in the season will be like a new signing but they may struggle to restrict sides while they are without them.
Betting
I’m not getting involved in the Gujarat Lions’ bowling market even allowing for the two big absences but I’m going to chance one in the batting market where if he gets a start in the opening game Dwayne Smith is just too big. Yes it can be said, with good reason, that he is just a power hitter at the top of the innings but he is mighty effective at doing it.
Aaron Finch is a lot shorter than Smith but we’re 90% sure he’ll be in the middle order while Brendon McCullum isn’t in the greatest form at the minute and Jason Roy will depart before the end of the season even if he gets picked to begin with, which isn’t certain. Suresh Raina is a danger but he’s the captain and I’m always reluctant to take them.
Smith isn’t a certain starter but if he does begin the campaign and gets going early he could make 8/1 quotes look silly quite quickly.
Tips
Back D.Smith Top Gujarat Lions Season Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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