Indian Premier League: Gujarat Lions Owner Keshav Bansal Happy With Squad
New IPL franchise Gujarat Lions will be led by Suresh Raina. The ninth edition of the cash-rich tournament will be held from April 9 to May 29.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: April 04, 2016 06:25 pm IST
Highlights
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Suresh Raina will lead Gujarat Lions in IPL-9
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Gujarat Lions will play their first match against KXIP on April 11
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Ravindra Jadeja and Brendon McCullum are also in the team
Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal expressed happiness over the fact that the new franchise managed to get "experienced and talented" players in the squad. (Indian Premier League Set to Get a Glamorous Opening Ceremony)
"We have a strong core team. We worked hard on structure draft that was submitted to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to pick up players and I am satisfied that I managed to get the players which I wanted in my team," Bansal said at the SCA stadium in Rajkot. (Meg Lanning Wants For Separate Indian Premier League For Women Cricketers)
"We wanted to make a balanced team with experience and talent and I am happy that we could manage to get the experience and talented cricketers."
He also expressed joy over the fact that "great players" like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja among others will play for Gujarat Lions.
"Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, James Faulkner, Dwayne Bravo all are great players and have done well for their respective countries and I am happy that these players would play from Gujarat Lions," he said.
When asked about skipper Raina's recent dismal form, he said, "Every player faces this problem in their careers, Raina is a matured cricketer and I don't think that he would be under pressure for leading a side first time in IPL. Every player remains under pressure to perform well and Raina has very good track record. Our focus is to provide a suitable atmosphere to players can perform well."
The Lions will play their first match on April 11 against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali in the IPL.
He further said that Gujarat Lions team song would be launched soon and it's theme is "game mari chhe" (game is mine).