Why is Vijay Shankar Not Playing Today’s IPL 2023 Match Between Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ahmedabad?

Gujarat Titans have made three changes to their Playing XI in Indian Premier League 2023 Match 62 at the Narendra Modi Stadium tonight. Slated to be the last league match of the season at this venue, the home team will step on the field without batters Vijay Shankar and Abhinav Manohar and pacer Alzarri Joseph.

Playing in Ahmedabad after a nine-year hiatus, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl in the hope of his fast bowlers getting assistance due to the presence of moisture on the pitch.

“We are gonna bowl first. Looks like there is moisture on this wicket, something for the pacers to utilize. If things are meant to work out, it will work out. Guys have the permission to express themselves. Would like to pack a punch tonight,” Markram told host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss.

Wearing a lavender jersey on Monday, GT captain Hardik Pandya also wanted to chase a target in this match. “When we started, we knew it would be a tricky year for us. The players have put up their hands in tough situations. It is a fresh wicket, we would have liked to field as well,” Pandya told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Vijay Shankar Not Playing Today vs Sunrisers Hyderabad?

Shankar, who has the highest strike rate among Gujarat batters with more than 100 runs this season, is not playing against SRH due to an injury. “We have a couple of forced changes. [Vijay] Shankar got hit by a ball in the nets yesterday,” Pandya mentioned. While Pandya didn’t reveal the reason behind Manohar’s absence, it appears that even he has suffered a niggle/illness.

As a result, batters Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka are part of Titans’ Playing XI. It is noteworthy that the Sri Lankan captain is playing his first-ever IPL match. Furthermore, one out of pacers Yash Dayal or Shivam Mavi might be used as an Impact Player in the second innings.

Speaking of the visitors, their two changes have come in the form of all-rounders Sanvir Singh and Marco Jansen replacing batters Anmolpreet Singh and Glenn Phillips in the Playing XI. While Sanveer is also making an IPL debut, Anmolpreet is likely to bat during the run-chase as a substitute.