IPL 2016: Suresh Raina to Lead Rajkot Team Gujarat Lions; Brad Hodge to be Coach
Suresh Raina will lead new Rajkot team -- Gujarat Lions -- in IPL 2016. Australian all-rounder and IPL veteran Brad Hodge will be the coach.
Suresh Raina has been named the captain of new Rajkot team, Gujarat Lions. Former Australian all-rounder Brad Hodge will be the head coach. Rajkot will make their debut in Indian Premier League this year.
Raina, who has lead Team India in limited overs matches, was named captain ahead of local favourite Ravindra Jadeja. Raina was in stunning form in the Sydney Twenty20 that India beat Australia by seven wickets on January 31.
"Suresh Raina is a remarkable player with an impeccable record in all formats of the game," franchise owner Keshav Bansal. "His extensive experience combined with his great leadership skills will help us in putting together a winning strategy for the team."
This will be Hodge's first full-time appointment as coach. Rajkot had reportedly discussed an opportunity with former South African coach Gary Kirsten, who was fired by Delhi Daredevils last year.
© BCCI
Forty-one-year-old Hodge is an IPL veteran. He has played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers and Rajasthan Royals. For the last couple of seasons, Hodge has played the dual role of a player and assistant coach with Big Bash team, Adelaide Strikers.
"We finalised Brad Hodge as the team coach on the basis of his successful contribution to the Australian national team and his excellent stint in the IPL," Bansal said. "I am confident that our team will benefit immensely from his guidance and mentorship."
Both Raina and Jadeja played for Chennai Super Kings, till the former IPL champions were suspended for two years by a Supreme Court-appointed panel for corruption.