Dwayne Bravo to miss start of 2017 IPL

Bravo has not played competitive cricket since December after sustaining a hamstring injury. In his last game, in the Australian Big Bash League where his team Melbourne Renegades suffered a last-ball loss to Perth Scorchers, Bravo had to be stretchered off after he went down clutching his hamstring.

"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," .

Gujarat have James Faulkner as a replacement for the West Indian all-rounder, but Bansal was optimistic about Bravo's return to the team.

"If his health permits you can see him playing during the second phase of IPL," Bansal said.

The IPL has seen a few causalities even before a ball has been bowled, with Quinton de Kock pulling out following a finger injury and JP Duminy citing personal reasons for opting out of the tournament.