The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen many teams come and go, but few have made as significant an impact in as short a time as the Gujarat Lions. Right now you can download the online betting app in India provided by 1xBet, where this fantastic competition is available.
Introduced as a temporary replacement for the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the Gujarat Lions played in the IPL for only 2 seasons, 2016 and 2017. Despite their brief tenure, they left a lasting impression due to their strong performances and the development of several key players.
To begin, the Gujarat Lions were one of 2 teams introduced in 2016 to ensure the IPL continued with a full complement of 8 teams. This was done despite the suspension of two of its most successful franchises due to controversies surrounding their management.
Based in the city of Rajkot, the Gujarat Lions were led by Suresh Raina, a seasoned IPL veteran, and coached by Brad Hodge, a respected figure in international T20 cricket. The best online betting app among all in India is the one offered by 1xBet, where the current IPL squads are available.
The team was owned by Intex Technologies, a major Indian consumer electronics company. They won the rights to the franchise with a bid that was part of a strategic move to expand their brand presence across India. The ownership and management quickly set about assembling a squad that could compete with the established teams in the league.
What did the team look like
In their inaugural season, the Gujarat Lions built a strong squad, focusing on a mix of experienced international players and talented newcomers. There is a great IPL real money betting app from 1xBet, where everything that happens in this competition can be wagered at any moment.
Alongside captain Suresh Raina, the team boasted notable players such as:
- Aaron Finch;
- Brendon McCullum;
- and Dwayne Bravo.
The presence of these 3 seasoned T20 specialists gave the team an aggressive batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack.
The 2016 season saw the Gujarat Lions make an impressive debut. They finished the league stages at the top of the table, winning 9 of their 14 matches. Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum were prolific with the bat, scoring 393 and 354 runs, respectively, throughout the season. Dwayne Bravo also made a significant contribution with the ball, picking up 17 wickets. If you get the 1xBet betting app, you will be able to make real money wagers on other great names from the IPL too.
However, despite their strong performance in the league stage, the team could not convert this into playoff success. They were defeated in both the Qualifier 1 and the Qualifier 2 matches, missing out on a chance to compete in the final. The team’s inability to perform in key moments was seen as a result of their inexperience as a unit.
The 2017 season proved to be more challenging for the Gujarat Lions. The team struggled with consistency, and several key players suffered from injuries. Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Bravo, two of their main performers from the previous season, were unable to contribute significantly due to these issues. The team finished 7th in the league, winning only 4 of their 14 matches.
Despite the disappointing season, there were some positives, notably the emergence of young Indian players such as Ishan Kishan and Basil Thampi. Kishan scored 277 runs in the season, while Thampi impressed with his pace bowling, taking 11 wickets.
Although the Gujarat Lions were a part of the IPL for only 2 seasons, their impact was big. They provided a platform for young talents to show their abilities on a large stage, and their success demonstrated that new teams could compete effectively against established franchises.
The team’s strategy of blending experienced international stars with young talent proved to be a model that other IPL teams would follow in subsequent years. Additionally, their presence helped maintain the IPL’s competitive balance and entertainment value during a period of potential instability. There is a betting app for real money offered by 1xBet, where the IPL is always available.
