IPL 2017: Gujarat Lions (GL) Predicted XI

SPINNERShadab Jakati

The IPL has been the springboard for players hailing from the corners of the country to rub shoulders with the best in the business. Shadab Jakati has been playing first class cricket since 1998, but the IPL helped him achieve his true potential and give it a wider audience to witness.

A smart left-arm spinner who keeps the lines tight, Jakati is a useful weapon in the middle overs for straining the flow of runs. He induces mistakes in the batsmen with his pinpoint deliveries, turning the ball enough to create the lingering doubt in the opposition.

He might be looked over Shivil Kaushik, the mystery spinner who grabbed eyeballs with his quirky action last year, but falls short on match practice unlike a domestic regular like Jakati.

PACERSDhawal Kulkarni

One of the few pacers to have featured in every edition of the IPL, Dhawal Kulkarni has been a proven performer in domestic cricket. His ability to generate swing with the new ball makes him the ideal opening bowler, despite his pace being only gentle.

Last year, he combined with Praveen Kumar to give Lions some solid starts, keeping the screws tight on the batsman in the powerplays. He played for the Indian team in 2016 on the tour against Zimbabwe, highlighting the selectors’ interest in keeping him in the long run. A strong IPL season, similar to last years (when he took 18 wickets from 14 games), can open doors for another stint in the Indian blue.