IPL 2016: Gujarat Lions get Suresh Raina as captain; Brad Hodge to be head coach

The Gujarat Lions have named Suresh Raina as their skipper and veteran Australian player, Brad Hodge as their head coach for their debut season in the IPL.

The left-handed batsman was chosen ahead of local boy and fellow teammate Ravindra Jadeja to lead the side. Raina has previously led the Indian team in limited over fixtures. He played a brilliant knock to give his side a 7-wicket victory in the Sydney T20.

On the other hand, 41-year-old Hodge will have his first stint as a full-time coach for a team. He has played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers and Rajasthan Royals. Hodge was also played and assistant coach with Big Bash team, Adelaide Strikers.

The Rajkot team is one of the two new teams formed as a result of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals getting suspended for corruption charges. The other team is from Pune and is called Pune Super Giants.