Why is Chris Gayle not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs Rajasthan Royals?

Dixit Bhargav | 21/09/2021
Why is Chris Gayle not playing today's IPL 2021 match vs Rajasthan Royals?

Chris Gayle not playing: Punjab Kings have left out their veteran batsman on his 42nd birthday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

During the 32nd match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Dubai, Punjab Kings captain Lokesh Rahul has won the toss and chose to bowl.

“No brainer, fresh wicket, don’t know how it will play. I personally prefer chasing. It’s good to be back in Dubai. We’ve had a lot of learnings from playing here last time. Lot of guys were playing international cricket, but we are all professionals and have done our best to prepare,” Rahul told Star Sports at the toss.

Being asked to bat first against a team which has challenged them in the recent past, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson remained unperturbed by toss.

“We are good setting or chasing as a team that we have. We have great talent, and great characters. Positive atmosphere in the team. [Kumar, Director of Cricket] Sangakkara wanted us to relax, and remind us that it’s just a game that you have to enjoy,” Samson told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Chris Gayle not playing vs Rajasthan Royals?

A position below Royals despite playing an extra match this season, Kings have included as many as three debutants in their Playing XI today and batsman Aiden Markram, spinner Adil Rashid and fast bowler Ishan Porel will be playing their first IPL match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“[Nicholas] Pooran, [Aiden] Markram, Adil Rashid, Fabian Allen. Markram will bat No. 3. Unfortunately, Chris Gayle misses out,” Rahul added not providing any particular reason behind Gayle’s exclusion.

RR, on the other hand, have handed a debut to West Indies batsman Evin Lewis. The other overseas players for them are Liam Livingstone, Chris Morris and Mustafizur Rahman.

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
Chris Gayle Indian Premier League IPL 2021 PBKS Punjab Kings rajasthan royals RR

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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