Gujarat Lions Sweating Over Aaron Finch’s Fitness

By: Tarish Bhatt

Gujarat Lions are currently placed second, behind Kolkata Knight Riders, after five matches on eight points, and in their last match they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore pretty comfortably.

Despite registering third successive win in the tournament, every thing is not alright for the Rajkot-based franchisee owing to Aaron Finch’s injury.

In a stiff run-chase against RCB, Finch did not come out to bat, after leaving the field in the 17th over. Even Gujarat skipper Suresh Raina looked concerned in the post-match presentation.

“Good win, when Virat got a hundred I thought it was going away from us,” Raina said. “But Baz and Smith got us off to a great start. We didn’t lose focus, we had good partnerships in the chase.”

“Smithy has been batting really well up the order with CSK, he had a really good PSL. Not sure about Finchy’s fitness,” he added.

Gujarat Lions, however, didn’t miss Finch much as Dwayne Smith filled in pretty nicely for him in the opening slot, and stitched a solid stand with Brendon McCullum.

Smith played a scorching innings, and made a 21-ball 31, hitting two sixes and three boundaries. He 47 runs with McCullum for the opening wickets.