Why are Mayank Agarwal and Harry Brook Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between RR and SRH in Jaipur?

Sunrisers Hyderabad have made a total of three changes to their Playing XI for Indian Premier League 2023 Match 52 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. The development means that batters Mayank Agarwal and Harry Brook aren’t part of their Playing XI tonight.

Pacer Kartik Tyagi, who had played his first match of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad on Thursday, has been left out after giving away 30 runs across a couple of overs.

These changes, which include an uncapped Indian debutant getting an opportunity, were confirmed by captain Aiden Markram at the toss. Markram, however, didn’t call correctly as Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to bat in their penultimate home match of the season.

“Decided to bat first. Conditions also demand the same. Climate has been different. Not much dew in the latter half. And sometimes it suits us also,” Samson told Star Sports Network at the toss.

Why are Mayank Agarwal and Harry Brook Not Playing Today vs Rajasthan Royals?

Although Markram wasn’t particularly asked about Agarwal and Brook’s exclusions, one feels that the move has been made keeping their current form in mind.

In nine IPL 2023 matches, Agarwal’s 187 runs have come at an average and strike rate of 20.77 and 114.02 respectively. Brook, who has also played nine matches in the season, has scored 163 runs at 20.37 and 121.64 in spite of scoring a century.

Batters Rahul Tripathi and Glenn Phillips and all-rounder Vivrant Sharma have made their way into the starting XI. While Tripathi was being used an Impact Player in the recent matches, Phillips is playing his second match of the season after a five-week period.

Royals, meanwhile, have handed a debut to former England captain Joe Root who will be playing his first-ever IPL match. Other than Root, spinner Murugran Ashwin and pacer Kuldip Yadav have come in for the likes of Devdutt Paddikal, Adam Zampa and Trent Boult.