Why is Nehal Wadhera Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Eliminator Between LSG and MI in Chennai?

Lucknow Super Giants are playing against Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The loser of this match will bow out of the tournament. Mumbai have made a couple of changes to their side keeping the conditions in mind.

Mumbai’s batter Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first considering the nature of the surface. Sharma said that it’s a typical Chennai wicket where the spinners may get some help. He informed that having bigger boundaries here also played a role in the decision of setting up a target.

“We are going to bat first. Typical Chennai wicket, looks good at the moment, don’t know how much wear and tear will happen. Back in Mumbai we want to chase, this ground here with a longer boundary, it’s better to put up a score,” Rohit Sharma told host broadcaster Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Nehal Wadhera Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Eliminator?

At the toss, Sharma informed that spinner Hrithik Shokeen has replaced Kumar Kartikeya keeping the team combination in mind. However, batter Nehal Wadhera is also not a part of the playing XI. Batter Tilak Varma is back after an injury and he has been reinstated into the XI.

Readers must note that Wadhera is among their five impact substitutes. If Mumbai lose early wickets, they may slot in Wadhera in between the game.

Wadhera has played some great knocks this season, but the team preferred Varma over him. It is clear that it is a tactical change and there are no injury concerns for the young batter from Punjab. In eight innings, Wadhera has managed to score 214 runs at an average of 30.57 and a strike rate of 141.72.

Other Important Exclusions in LSG vs MI Eliminator

Lucknow Super Giants’ opener Quinton de Kock is also not playing the match. There are just three overseas players in the playing XI, and Kyle Mayers may come in as Impact Player later on. All-rounder Deepak Hooda, meanwhile, is back in the mix.