IPL 2017: 5 strategies Gujarat Lions need to rethink

#4 Captaincy

Raina has looked a shadow of his normal self and needs to get his bowling changes right

Suresh Raina led with a lot of vigour and flair in the last season but seems to be running out of ideas this time around. He has struggled to lead a haphazard line-up and much of the chaos has stemmed from the side’s poor bowling.

The Lions took just one wicket in their opening two games and none of the bowlers save Andrew Tye performed consistently in the games that followed. Dhawal Kulkarni, a huge factor in their success last year, has lacked support from his skipper in terms of field placements. A slip was missing several times when Kulkarni was moving the ball away from the right-handers.

The spinners have been woeful with Jadeja failing to deliver tight overs. Raina has also erred by finishing off the overs of his strike bowlers before the closing stages which has meant Jadeja has been used at the death to damaging effect.

Tye and Basil Thampi look like effective options at the death. Faulkner is another option they could turn to.