Why is Kagiso Rabada Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mohali?

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore are up against each other in the 27th match of Indian Premier League 2023. Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first on a hot Thursday afternoon in Mohali. Punjab have won three of their five matches in the tournament, whereas Bangalore have won two in the same number of games.

To everyone’s delight, RCB’s former captain Virat Kohli came for the toss. Captain Faf du Plessis will not take the field in this match. Kohli said at the toss that the team wanted him to bat only. He highlighted that the team has failed to perform well in crunch situations.

“We got to do what we wanted, we would have batted first, the pitch could get slow, some scruff marks will help the bowlers going deep into the game. Make the most of crunch situations, we haven’t done that so far in the tournament,” Kohli told host broadcaster Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Kagiso Rabada Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore

Punjab’s captain Shikhar Dhawan is still injured and all-rounder Sam Curran is leading the side in his absence. Curran said that Dhawan is quite close to making his return. However, he surprised everyone by announcing that pacer Kagiso Rabada has been replaced by fellow pacer Nathan Ellis.

Rabada is not even among the potential Impact Players. Curran did not mention the reason behind Rabada’s absence from the Playing XI. Readers must note that English all-rounder Liam Livingstone has recovered from his injury and is playing for the first time this season.

“Shikhar [Dhawan] is getting closer, but he’ll miss out today. He’s a quality player, but the younger lot will have to shape up. [Liam] Livingstone is back and we have [Nathan] Ellis back in place of KG [Kagiso Rabada],” Curran told Star Sports at the toss.

Kagiso Rabada record against RCB in IPL

Rabada possesses an excellent record against RCB in the IPL. In seven matches against Bangalore, the pacer has scalped 16 wickets at an economy of 7.21. He has a strike-rate of 10.50.