Marco Jansen cricket: Why is Quinton de Kock not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs RCB?

Marco Jansen: Defending champions Mumbai Indians have surprised one and all by handing a debut to rookie South African all-rounder.

During the first match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and chose to field in the season opener.

“It’s unbelievable [laughs], bit of a mini break helped me I guess to win a toss. Going to bowl first. They [Mumbai Indians] are a side who likes chasing. Good chance for us to get onto the park and create some intensity. With the balance we have this year we can do both, but have to understand who you’re playing against,” Kohli told Star Sports during the toss.

As far as their combination is concerned, RCB will be taking the field without in-form opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal despite him joining the squad after testing negative for COVID-19. Announcing three debutants for this match, Kohli revealed that they have included the likes of Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Kyle Jamieson.

Who is Marco Jansen?

Much like Kohli, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma also wanted to field first. However, the most successful captain in the biggest T20 league picked out positive from the fact that his team has batted well in the recent past.

“Would’ve fielded first as well. But as a team we’ve batted well over the years. Nothing different for us. Bat well in the powerplay and set the game up for the big hitters. The entire square has been changed. Recently played a couple of Tests. Need to do what we do as a team, put our best foot forward,” Sharma told Star Sports at the toss.

Sharma mentioned that they have made three changes to their Playing XI which took the field in IPL 2020 final against Delhi Capitals in Dubai. In place of wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock and fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile, Indians have handed debuts to opening batsman Chris Lynn and all-rounder Marco Jansen. Additionally, spinner Rahul Chahar is playing for Jayant Yadav.

Lynn, who was bought by MI for his base price of INR 2 crore in IPL 2020 auction, has finally received a game after warming the bench for the whole of last season. The 30-year old Australian batsman replaces de Kock at the top as the latter is currently undergoing a mandatory seven-day quarantine period as he was among the five South African players who reached India earlier this week.

Jansen, on the other hand, is a 20-year old South African player, who has only played 10 T20s till date. Known for his extreme pace and the ability of using the long handle, Jansen is an outright product of Mumbai Indians’ scouting doing what they’ve done the best for all these years.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Jansen playing at the highest level in the years to come especially after impressive shows for the most successful team of the Indian Premier League.