S Ahmed IPL 2021: Why is Washington Sundar not playing today’s IPL 2021 match vs Punjab Kings?

Washington Sundar not playing: Royal Challengers Bangalore have made a like-for-like change for tonight’s match against Punjab Kings.

During the 26th match of the ongoing 14th season of the Indian Premier League between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and chose to field.

“More confident now, we gonna bowl first. So the game last night, short boundary on one side. The pitch was two paced last night, so we want to bowl first. We have stepped in with six or seven bowling options each game, so that gives me a lot of comfort and space. The bowlers have been on their mark, all credit to them,” Kohli told Star Sports at the toss.

Punjab Kings captain Lokesh Rahul, on the other hand, laid emphasis on learning from their mistakes especially for a young team like theirs.

“We have always found ourselves in this position, we just have to go out there and put up a show tonight. It’s [inconsistency] something we have spoken about. We are a young group of guys except for Chris, but it’s important that we learn from our mistakes.” Rahul told Star Sports at the toss.

Why is Washington Sundar not playing vs Punjab Kings?

Being asked about the changes made to their Playing XI, Kohli announced that they have a lone change as all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has replaced Washington Sundar in the XI. In a change which seems to have been done exclusively as match-up for a particular opposition, Kohli laid emphasis on “rectifying stuff” despite them doing well this season.

In six matches till now, Sundar had picked just three wickets at an average and strike rate of 39.33 and 32 respectively. With the bat in hand, Sundar had scored 31 runs in four innings at an average and strike rate of 7.75 and 65.95 respectively.

Kings, on the other hand, have made three changes to their Playing XI as as opening batsman Prabhsimran Singh, all-rounder Harpreet Brar and fast bowler Riley Meredith have come in for opening batsman Mayank Agarwal, all-rounder Moises Henriques and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh.