Jimmy Neesham IPL 2021: Why is Nathan Coulter-Nile not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs CSK?

Nathan Coulter-Nile not playing: Defending champions Mumbai Indians have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI for this match.

During the 27th match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in Delhi, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and chose to field.

“We will bowl first. Looks like a good pitch, will only get better and better as the game progresses. For us, every game is important, don’t want top look too forward, tuck all the small boxes and get things right,” Sharma told Star Sports at the toss.

Much like Sharma, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also wanted to field first as he expressed surprise with respect to the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

“We were looking to field first also. The pitch has been surprisingly good. The wicket was got better for batting in the second half; it has been good at the start too. We’re playing the same side,” Dhoni told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Nathan Coulter-Nile not playing vs CSK?

Being asked about their changes, Sharma mentioned that they have included all-rounder James Neesham and pacer Dhawal Kulkarni for the likes of Jayant Yadav and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

“We have some tactical changes. It’s important to understand the conditions and the opposition. James Neesham comes in place of Jayant Yadav. Dhawal Kulkarni replaces Nathan Coulter-Nile.” Sharma added.

In the only match that Coulter-Nile has played this season, he had leaked 35 runs in his four-over spell. As Sharma mentioned, Coulter-Nile’s ouster is primarily because of a “tactical” change.

Neesham, whose two previous IPL seasons have come for Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) and Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in 2014 and 2020 respectively, will be making his debut for Mumbai at the Arun Jaitley Stadium tonight.