Fabian Allen not playing: Punjab Kings have made a solitary change to their Playing XI for their first match in Ahmedabad.
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During the 21st match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan has won the toss and chose to field.
“We’re going to bowl first. Excellent ground and good outfield, seems a good surface. We’re looking to make a big step forward today. We believe in the guys within the squad and the playing XI.
“Moving forward, we’ll see a lot more depth from our squad. I think there is only way to go [from here]. Getting on a losing streak can hurt a bit. We have the opportunity to turn it around and we know it can change quickly,” Morgan told Star Sports at the toss.
Being asked about the changes made to their Playing XI, Morgan revealed that they will be taking the field with the same Playing XI tonight.
Why is Fabian Allen not playing vs KKR?
Coming on the back of a 9-wicket victory against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai, Punjab Kings captain Lokesh Rahul laid emphasis on getting off to a good start in their first match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
“It’s a new venue and new pitch, important we get off to a good start. That [crowd] would have been lovely but it’s important that our country fights back from this.
“Games like that [win over MI] helps us a lot, difficult wicket to chase and glad that me and Chris [Gayle] could finish it off. Such wins bring the group together. He [Gayle] keeps things light in the dressing room,” Rahul told Star Sports at the toss.
As far as the changes for Kings are concerned, they have included England pacer Chris Jordan for West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen. In his only innings, Allen had scored 6 (11) against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With the ball in hand, Allen’s solitary wicket in two matches had come at an economy and strike rate of 7.42 and 42 respectively.
Jordan, who had joined Punjab in 2020, has picked nine wickets in nine matches at an average of 33.78, an economy rate of 9.65 and a strike rate of 21.
