Gujarat Lions: The team that enjoys ‘away’ benefits in IPL 2017 - Hindustan Times
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Gujarat Lions: The team that enjoys ‘away’ benefits in IPL 2017

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
May 03, 2017 07:33 PM IST

Gujarat Lions have shown they win consistently when they are play away from home, and this will give them plenty of confidence as they aim to stay in the race for the play-offs in the 2017 Indian Premier League.

Gujarat Lions face a crunch situation in the 2017 Indian Premier League. In 10 games, they have just six points and they need to win their remaining four games if are to stand any chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Their next game is against Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Thursday.

Gujarat Lions will be banking on their impressive away record to stay in the race for the IPL 2017 play-offs.(AFP)
Gujarat Lions will be banking on their impressive away record to stay in the race for the IPL 2017 play-offs.(AFP)

In IPL 2017, certain teams have performed well at home but struggled away. An example is Sunrisers Hyderabad, the defending champions who are third in the points table. They have won all five of their home games in Hyderabad. However, they have managed to win only one away game so far.

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However, the opposite is true for Gujarat Lions. Currently seventh, they have won three of their 10 games. Out of those, two have come away from home. The away victories have come against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Gujarat Lions love to travel

In their debut season in 2016, Gujarat Lions topped the group in the league stage, winning nine out of 14 games. Out of the nine, five wins were achieved away from home. This was the most number of away wins achieved by any team in that edition. Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders were joint-second with eight wins.

In that edition of IPL, the likes of Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith had given Gujarat Lions a great start at the top of the order. Skipper Suresh Raina chipped in with vital knocks.

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In the 2017 edition, the away wins have been a result of contributions from two key batsmen. Suresh Raina blasted 84 to give Gujarat Lions victory over Kolkata Knight Riders while Finch blasted the fastest fifty ever by a Gujarat Lions batsman to set up Gujarat Lions’ win over Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Gujarat Lions - Home away from home

Since their debut, Gujarat Lions have been the best team on the road. If one looks at the combined record, Gujarat Lions have secured seven wins away from home in total, joint second-highest with Kolkata Knight Riders. Mumbai Indians have won the most away with eight during this period.

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With Gujarat Lions playing two games away to Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab, the fact that they have performed well while travelling gives them renewed optimism.

With their next ‘two’ home games in neutral Kanpur, where they have a 100 percent record, Gujarat Lions will hope they can get into the winning habit if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    From Dainik Bhaskar to Cricbuzz, from Times of India to NDTV, he has significant work experience on the digital platform. Writing on cricket, though, continues unabated.

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