IPL 2017 SWOT Analysis – Gujarat Lions

Apr 2, 2017 at 12:23 PM

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IPL 2017 SWOT Analysis – Gujarat Lions

Not many T20 units on this planet can boast about having so many batting powerhouses in the time at one point of time like the Gujarat Lions can.

 

One the basis of batting alone, one should jump to the conclusion that for the upcoming edition of the IPL, the Suresh Raina-led Gujarat Lions outfit is surely one of the strongest and the favourites to lift the title.

 

The team might just be a season old, but has shown tremendous potential already, as they finished third in IPL 2016. They commenced their journey, though, on a dream note having won their first three games and it was Aaron Finch, who stood out in all of them. They could have well made it to the finals, but an outstanding display of batting from Sunrisers’ skipper David Warner ended their hopes in the second qualifier at Delhi.

 

This season too promises to be a thrilling one for the Lions. Their owners were smart and efficient at the auction table and have calmly acquired the services of some sought after names. Having said that, it will ultimately count on the field if those individuals can replicate that form in the IPL.

Thereby, we conduct a thorough SWOT analysis of the Gujarat Lions:

 

Full strength XI assuming all are fit:

  1. B. McCullum 2. A. Finch 3. S. Raina (c) 4. D. Karthik 5. I. Kishan 6. J. Faulkner 7. R. Jadeja 8. D. Bravo 9. D. Kulkarni 10. P. Kumar 11. S. Kaushik

McCullum
McCullum and Finch won it for Gujarat Lions

STRENGTH:

Brendon McCullum. Dwayne Smith. Aaron Finch. Jason Roy. Suresh Raina. Well, we aren’t just naming down T20 batting stalwarts alone, but are also stating the likely top order of the Gujarat Lions. Out of these 5 individuals, even if one person has a productive outing, the Lions will most likely end up on the winning side. Such is the might of the Lions’ batting as they can potentially chase or post any total. Keeping in mind their raw batting prowess, it shouldn’t be surprising at all if the Lions breach the 250 run barrier in the upcoming edition.

 

Among the most successful teams of the previous edition, hopes are quite high from this dynamic young side this time around as well. Suresh Raina himself is a very seasoned campaigner and has always impressed with his to the point leadership. Having been omitted from the BCCI Central Contract list, Raina too will be eager to prove a point or two. This will just enhance the strength of the Lions.

A livid Praveen Kumar confronts David Warner
A livid Praveen Kumar confronts David Warner

WEAKNESS:

One aspect, where this promising side lacks and lacks terribly is their overseas pace department. The last time they had the services of Dale Steyn, who just played a game, but owing to a career threatening injury, they don’t have him around now. Their overseas pace cupboard comprises just of the inexperienced Andrew Tye, and he is very unlikely to get a game. James Faulkner is another all-round option, but he often is plundered for plenty, adding another weakness.

 

Their Indian pace battery though is full of veterans like Munaf Patel, Manpreet Gony and Munaf Patel. But there lies another problem, as all three are bound to be terribly rusty. They haven’t played a competition as intense as the IPL in a long time and this can take its toll. Fair to say, the rusty bowling will add more burden of the batting.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions – Record Broken! Highest partnership for 5th Wicket in IPL
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions – Record Broken! Highest partnership for 5th Wicket in IPL

OPPORTUNITY:

Like any other promising side, the Gujarat Lions have quite a few young enthusiastic Indian individuals in their ranks. Former India Under 19 captain Ishan Kishan is one such name who could get a few games this season. After impressing everyone in the domestic circuit, Kishan has an ideal opportunity to leave an impression out now and a good season for him with the bat could well earn him a promotion with the India A side. Along with Kishan, pacer Basil Thampi is another promising addition and the young pacer stole the limelight in India’s domestic season of 2016/17 with his raw pace.

 

Once the side is free from injury issues and the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo return to the setup, the Gujarat outfit will look stronger than ever before. The all round aspect adds a lot of depth to the unit and could be priceless for any T20 side. Bravo, for instance, is worth his weight in gold with the ball at the death, and can tonk the ball a fair way with the bat.

Suresh Raina credits bowlers for win over KKR
Suresh Raina credits bowlers for win over KKR

Threat:

Injuries have plagued several teams even before the edition commences, and the Gujarat Lions are just another unit. They have already lost Jadeja and Bravo, two vital cogs of their unit to injuries so far and that is bound to add a lot of burden on the side. The worst case scenario for the Lions now would be to alter the composition of their side just to fill in the absence of someone as experienced as Bravo in both departments. With Jadeja missing out for a few weeks as well, the spin department looks utterly weak too. Shivil Kaushik and Shadab Jakati won’t precisely win you the games like other renowned spinners would surely.

 

Having said that, Suresh Raina, who hasn’t regularly featured in the domestic season off late will be under the scanner too. A disastrous tournament here could have question marks looming over the future of his career.

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