Rajkot: After suffering two consecutive losses in their opening matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Lions will look to turn their fortunes around when they take on Rising Pune Supergiant at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday.
Gujarat suffered consecutive defeats against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders and defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kolkata outplayed Suresh Raina-led Gujarat by 10 wickets on April 7 while Hyderabad outplayed them by nine wickets on April 8.
Gujarat, who finished third in the previous edition of the IPL by winning nine matches and lost five, however, are struggling from the start in the ongoing edition of the cash-rich tournament.
However, the return of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to the home side will give a big boost to Gujarat as the 28-year-old has the capability to change the momentum of the match at any point.
Jadeja had been advised rest by a medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for at least two weeks.
On the other hand, Pune, who started this year’s campaign on a positive note by winning their opening encounter by seven wickets, were thrashed by Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils in their next two matches.
Regular skipper Steve Smith, who missed his last match due to an upset stomach, and Manoj Tiwary, who lost his father, are expected to play the against Gujarat.
But, all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was the costliest buy of the 10th edition of the league, has to click this time as the English player has failed to prove his worth so far.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Imran Tahir will be the key factor because the pace trio of Ashok Dinda, Deepak Chahar and Stokes failed to resist the batsmen.
With both the teams struggling to find their rhythm, it will be an important fixture for them as a win here might affect some other teams in the tournament.
