L Ngidi IPL 2021: Why is DJ Bravo not playing today’s match vs KKR?

DJ Bravo not playing: Chennai Super Kings have made a solitary change to their Playing XI for their fourth match at the Wankhede Stadium.

During the 15th match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan has won the toss and chose to field.

“We are going to bowl. On this ground, it seems to be the fashion and more successful, change of ground and different vibe for us and hopefully change of fortunes for us as well. It [bit of grass] certainly pleases the international players.

“Chennai are obviously a strong team and we are hoping to build on the start of our campaign. A fresh mindset, over time chasing in Chennai hasn’t been productive at all for anybody and chasing at Wankhede is productive,” Morgan told Star Sports at the toss.

Being asked about the changes made to their combination, Morgan announced that they’ve rested all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and spinner Harbhajan Singh for all-rounder Sunil Narine and pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Why is DJ Bravo not playing vs KKR?

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni laid emphasis on being watchful especially for the first few overs as his team will be bowling under dew later in the match.

“Again [the pitch is] a bit tacky, so we have to be watchful for the first few overs. There was less dew last game, so spinners were free to bowl what they wanted to bowl. If you get too much dew, then lengths are different,” Dhoni told Star Sports during the match.

As far as the changes for the Super Kings are concerned, they’ve made only one change as fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has replaced all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. It is a rarity that CSK have benched Bravo for an IPL match but Dhoni mentioned that the veteran player has been given a rest tonight.

Ngidi, who had made his IPL debut for Super Kings in 2018, has picked 20 wickets in 11 matches for them at an average of 16.15, an economy rate of 7.69 and a strike rate of 12.60.