IPL 9: Will play positive cricket against MS Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants, says Gujarat Lions skipper Suresh Raina

New Delhi: New franchise Gujarat Lions skipper Suresh Raina has said that his team will play positive cricket against Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiants, when the two debutants face each other at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot.

Raina and Dhoni played for eight years in the now suspended Chennai Super Kings and it will be for the first time that the former will play against his ex-captain.

“We (Gujarat Lions) have started new season with a new team on a positive note after winning the first game. And we will play positive cricket against the opposition in tomorrow’s game,” Raina said in the pre-match conference ahead of Thursday's game against MS Dhoni's side.

Raina also said the team is excited about the local crowd support.

“Gujarat Lions is a team from Gujarat and we all are excited about the crowd support for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lions skipper also admitted that Dhoni is a very popular cricketer in every corner of the country but Gujarat also has some popular players.

“Dhoni is a cricketer, who gets support from every corner of the country but we too have some cricketers, who are popular in India and in Gujarat” he said.

The match between the two sides will start from 8:00 pm IST on Thursday.

(With Agency inputs)