Dwayne Bravo to miss initial games of IPL 2017

Gujarat Lions will be without their ace all-rounder Dwayne Bravo at the start of IPL 2017. According to the franchise owner Keshav Bansal, the West Indian is expected to miss the initial couple of matches owing to a hamstring injury. Bravo was an integral part of Gujarat's debut IPL season last year. His batting returns were ordinary but he picked up 17 wickets in 15 games.

"Dwayne Bravo was suffering from hamstring injury from past few months. We are expecting him to join us in India in 1st week of April. He may miss the initial couple of matches," Bansal told Cricbuzz.

Bravo hasn't played a competitive game of cricket since December 29, 2016, when he injured his hamstring while playing in the Big Bash League. The Melbourne Renegades recruit hurt himself while fielding and had to be stretchered off. He didn't feature in the rest of the tournament and had a surgery on his left hamstring.

However, he appears to have not recovered entirely. "If his health permits you can see him playing during the second phase of IPL."

Bravo's absence could give James Faulkner an opportunity to cement his spot in the side. The Australian all-rounder played just seven games last season. Gujarat Lions begin their IPL 2017 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in Rajkot on April 7.