Why is Umesh Yadav Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens?

The 39th league match of Indian Premier League 2023 is being played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Kolkata have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI and pacer Umesh Yadav is not a part of it for this match.

Gujarat’s captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first considering the overcast conditions. Pandya clearly said that his decision to chase was just based on the weather. All three matches this season in Kolkata have been won by the teams batting first. Opener Shubman Gill has been placed in the substitutes and he is almost certain of making an appearance as an Impact Player.

“We will bowl first. Just because of the weather, it was bright when we came and we thought we should bat, but it has changed now. I’m pretty happy with where we are, 7 games gone, 7 more to come,” Pandya told host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss.

Why is Umesh Yadav Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans

Yadav has been replaced by fellow pacer Harshit Rana. KKR’s captain Nitish Rana informed at the toss that Yadav has a hamstring niggle and that’s why he is not playing the game. It must be noted that Yadav is not even on the substitutes list.

Yadav has been in terrible form this season and there were a lot of talks of dropping him from the team as well. He has scalped just a solitary wicket at an economy rate of 9.94 in the 19 overs he has bowled across eight innings this season.

Yadav was at his best in the last season where he scalped 16 wickets for KKR. He was exceptional with the new ball but he has clearly struggled to make an impact in the ongoing season.

Other important exclusions in KKR vs GT match

Apart from Yadav, ace opener Jason Roy is also missing the game for Kolkata. Wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz has replaced Roy in the Playing XI. There are no injury concerns for Titans.