Why is Rohit Sharma Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium?

Mumbai Indians are up against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 22nd league match of Indian Premier League 2023. The home side won the toss and opted to bowl first. Batter Suryakumar Yadav is captaining Mumbai in this match, and he said that the ball will come onto the bat nicely in the second innings.

Kolkata’s captain Nitish Rana, on the other hand, said that he wanted to bat first. He pointed out that the spinners may get into the picture later on considering the dry nature of the wicket. Rana revealed that the team will be looking to score at least 180 runs as the wicket looks good to bat. The Knight Riders are playing with the same team that lost against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“We believe we can chase 200-210. The ball might turn in the second innings I think. It’s good for us, that everyone is scoring runs. We’ll target to score around 180 on this wicket,” Nitish Rana said to host broadcaster Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Rohit Sharma Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders

To everyone’s surprise, Suryakumar Yadav was present at the toss instead of regular Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma. Ravi Shastri asked Yadav about the absence of Sharma, to which he revealed that Sharma is out because of a stomach bug. He is although in the impact players’ list and can make an apperance if required.

“Rohit is out, he has a stomach bug,” Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.

Sharma’s absence can hurt the home side as he was the Man of the Match in Mumbai’s last match against Delhi Capitals. He played a brilliant knock of 65 (45) with the help of six boundaries and four sixes to help Mumbai register their first win of the tournament.

Arjun Tendulkar making IPL debut in MI vs KKR match

Mumbai Indians have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI, where pacers Arjun Tendulkar and Duan Jansen have replaced Sharma and pacer Jason Behrendorff.

This is the first IPL match for Tendulkar, and he would want to make this occasion count. He was bought by the franchise for a price of INR 30 Lakh in IPL 2022 auction.