Yashasvi Jaiswal IPL 2021: Why is Shreyas Gopal not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs KKR?

Shreyas Gopal not playing: Rajasthan Royals have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI in a bid to put a halt to their losing streak.

During the 18th match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has won the toss and chose to field.

“We are going to bowl because it has helped the bowlers bowling first here in these conditions. I like to appreciate the team members, management and everyone in the team, they are coping up with it really well as there are a lot of positives even after losing few key players.

“We haven’t said much, in a tournament like IPL there are going to be ups and downs, it is about trusting your players and playing some good cricket,” Samson told Star Sports at the toss.

Much like Samson, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan also wanted to field first. Taking inspiration from their unbelievable last match against Chennai Super Kings despite it ending in a loss, Morgan hoped to “rectify” things tonight.

“We would have liked to bowl first. I think everybody would be in the same boat. We did play a game the other night where 220 seemed to be enough. We are playing our second game at the Wankhede and we are better off knowing the conditions. The game that is played here suits our game and hopefully we can rectify them today.

“It was a great game of cricket. The character the guys showed to get to the position we were in at the end was absolutely outstanding, our middle and lower order coming good in the game against a really strong side,” Morgan told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Shreyas Gopal not playing vs KKR?

Talking about the changes made to both the teams, Royals have brought in batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal and fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat for batsman Manan Vohra and spinner Shreyas Gopal.

Having scored 42 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 107.69, Vohra was in line to get dropped for this match. Gopal, on the other hand, has been benched to accommodate a pacer who is more likely to create an impact at this venue. Jaiswal, who had played three IPL 2020 matches, has been an opportunity for the first time this season.

As far as Knight Riders are concerned, they have made a solitary change by including Shivam Mavi for Kamlesh Nagarkoti.