R Patidar RCB: Why is Devdutt Padikkal not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs Mumbai Indians?

Devdutt Padikkal not playing: Royal Challengers Bangalore have taken the field in Chennai without their in-form opening batsman.

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.

Much like his India captain Kohli, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma also wanted to field first to restrict the opposition to a below par total.

From the Playing XI which won them the IPL 2020 final in Dubai last year, Mumbai have made three changes as opening batsman Chris Lynn, all-rounder Marco Jansen and spinner Rahul Chahar have been included for wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock, spinner Jayant Yadav and fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile.

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“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.

“For us, it’s a fresh year. Don’t need to look at what’s happened in the past. Fresh year, new faces as well. Important for us to start well which we haven’t done in this tournament [smiles]. Last game we played was a final in Dubai,” Sharma told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Devdutt Padikkal not playing vs Mumbai Indians?

As far as Royal Challengers’ Playing XI for this match is concerned, they have taken the field without Devdutt Padikkal and Daniel Sams, both of whom had contacted the coronavirus recently. Despite Padikkal joining the squad after testing negative, he has been rested as recommended by the medical staff.

Padikkal, who made his IPL debut last season, had top-scored for the franchise with his 473 runs coming at an average and strike rate of 31.53 and 124.80 respectively. It is worth mentioning that Kohli did mention about including Padikkal in their second match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 14.

While Madhya Pradesh batsman Rajat Patidar has replaced Padikkal in the XI, Royal Challengers have also included a couple of debutants in Glenn Maxwell and Kyle Jamieson. Veteran all-rounder Daniel Christian, who had represented the franchise in 2013, has returned to RCB and the IPL after eight and three years respectively.

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“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.