Why are Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings?

Dixit Bhargav | 08/04/2023
Why are Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes Not Playing Today's IPL 2023 Match Between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings?

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and chose to bowl in the 12th match of the ongoing 16th season of the Indian Premier League against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

“We will bowl first. One of the most memorable venues. Not only because of the [ICC Cricket World Cup] 2011 win but the reception we got after the 2007 T20 World Cup. Generally got pace and bounce, you can play your shots,” Dhoni told host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss.

Much like Dhoni, Indians captain Rohit Sharma also wanted to field first in their first home match of the season. “We would have fielded first as well. It’s a good pitch, always a good pitch to bat. Always something in it for the bowlers. We just have to play good cricket,” Sharma told Star Sports at the toss.

Why are Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes not playing today vs Mumbai Indians?

Dhoni confirmed three changes (including two first-choice overseas players) to their Playing XI for this match. All-rounder Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes and pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar are all missing this match. While Ali is unwell, Stokes is injured. Although Dhoni didn’t specify the nature of Stokes’ injury, it is worth a mention that the Englishman is already in the middle of a knee injury.

“[Ben] Stokes has an injury. Mo [Moeen Ali] is not well and in their place, we’ve got [Ajinkya] Rahane and [Dwaine] Pretorius,” Dhoni added. While all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius had represented CSK in six matches last season, batter Ajinkya Rahane and pacer Sisanda Magala (IPL debut) are playing their first-ever match for the franchise.

Speaking of the home team, they have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI. Batter Tristan Stubbs and fast bowler Jason Behrendorff have been brought in in place of batter Nehal Wadhera and fast bowler Jofra Archer.

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
Ajinkya Rahane Ben Stokes chennai super kings csk Dwaine Pretorius Indian Premier League IPL 2023 MI Moeen Ali Mumbai Indians

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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