Describing Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a three-dimensional player, Gujarat Lions' head coach Brad Hodge said it was very difficult for any cricketing side to replace him
Ravindra Jadeja, Brad Hodge
Ravindra Jadeja
Rajkot: Describing Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a three-dimensional player, Gujarat Lions' head coach Brad Hodge said it was very difficult for any cricketing side to replace him.
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The ace left-arm spinner has been advised rest by a medical team of the BCCI for at least two weeks and may miss the early IPL action.
Talking to PTI, Hodge said, "Ravindra was an unbelievable player in the recently concluded Test series (against Australia) and I understand that he needs some time to get cent per cent fit."
Brad Hodge
On whether Gujarat Lions has a player who can replace him, Hodge said, "No, he can't be replaced. He is a three-dimensional player — he bats, bowls and fields like a jet. So it's very hard to replace him in any cricketing side."
Bravo absent too
Another all rounder Dwayne Bravo is injured and Lions will have to play a couple of matches without the services of Jadeja and Bravo.
"Bravo, hopefully he will be fit around 20th of April. He will be key player for some games and when he comes he brings nice energy and he is a good man around the group, he's always happy, dancing and having fun, so we are looking forward to him to join us," Hodge said.
Gujarat Lions will play their first match in the IPL at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA)âÂÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂÂu00c2u0088stadium in Khandheri on April 7. Last year, Lions had won both the matches against KKR.
Good combination
Talking about last year's performance as well as the current squad, Hodge said, "We had a wonderful season last year. I think the team was very well led by Suresh Raina and we have a lovely combination of youth and experience. We have bought some fresh faces to keep the energy level up in the group and the side is looking very strong." "The squad is good combination of youth and experience. Experience is very important, I think more important in T20 and we have got some superb players but anything can happen on a day in T20."
When asked about the team combination Hodge said, "In any team you never have the perfect combination, you always have may be one or two holes. We have still a few days to work it out. So we have to wait and see to set the right combination."
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