Thursday, December 12, 2024
spot_img

Raina unveils Rajkot-based IPL franchise, Gujarat Lions

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

Hodge named coach of new side

New Delhi: Former Australia batsman Brad Hodge was today named coach of the newly-unveiled IPL team Gujarat Lions, which will make its debut under Suresh Raina’s captaincy this season.
With Suresh Raina as captain, the Rajkot-based franchise and the Pune Super Giants will replace the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the league.
The Gujarat team owner Keshav Bansal announced former renowned T20 freelancer Hodge as the chief coach of the team at a press conference here.
After playing for eight years in CSK, Raina said he is wondering how the scene would be when his team faces Pune, which is being led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni — the man who Marshalled CSK so far.
“We (him and Dhoni) have played together enough including a few finals and I know how to stop him. Imagine Dhoni getting out to Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) and (Dwayne) Bravo dancing,” a smiling Raina said as he was officially unveiled as captain of the Rajkot-based IPL team Gujarat Lions.
Raina said having James Faulkner in the squad will add to the balance of the side. “Myself, Jadeja, McCullum and Dwayne Bravo have already played together for the CSK. With Faulkner joining us, the team will have great balance. I hope we will get good players from the auction too.
“There is a lot of talented Indian as well as overseas cricketers in the auction pool,” said the left-hander, who has played a record 214 T20 matches which includes international, IPL and domestic appearances. While CSK will not be a part for the next two years, Raina feels the former BCCI president N Srinivasan’s franchise made him a “better cricketer”.
“It would be emotional moment for me as I would play for a different team this year. In the last eight years, I have never missed an IPL game and the stint with CSK has made me a matured cricketer. But Gujarat never had an IPL team before and I would like everyone to come to Rajkot and support us.” (PTI)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

SC imposes Rs 5 lakh costs on employer for taking wage and termination dispute to arbitration

New Delhi, Dec 12: The Supreme Court has imposed Rs 5 lakh costs on an employer for dragging...

Financial Intelligence Unit detects undisclosed income worth Rs 11,000 crore in 2024: Centre

New Delhi, Dec 12: The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) detected undisclosed income worth nearly Rs 11,000 crore in...

Jyothirmayi says OTT is the catalyst behind wider reach of content

Mumbai, Dec 12: Actress Jyothirmayi, whose psychological thriller film ‘Bougainvillea’, is set to release on OTT, has shared...

Union Cabinet clears ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill to streamline electoral process

New Delhi, Dec 12:  The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, aimed at...