GT vs CSK: Revealed - Why Hardik Pandya Is Not Playing For Gujarat Titans Against Chennai Super Kings
Gujarat Titans (GT) regular captain Hardik Pandya will not be playing in GT’s match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday and Afghanistan spinner, Rashid Khan, will be captaining in his stead.
During GT’s previous game, Hardik had smashed a 52-ball 87 but he was walking around gingerly during the bowling phase. He complained of stiffness after the game and the management rightfully decided not to risk his fitness.
“We would like to bowl first. Bit of stiffness in the groin area for Hardik, so as a team we didn’t want to take a chance. He will rest and hopefully be back for the next game. Super excited, it’s kind of a dream (captaining a team).”
“So I just want to learn as much as I can and give 100 percent. Matthew Wade is out and Saha is in. It’s just to balance it out as Hardik is absent,” Rashid said at the toss.
Hardik has come into the IPL 2022 season after a long lay-off due to injury. Another issue with his fitness would be a big blow to GT and the Indian team as well.
Meanwhile, Wriddhiman Saha and Alzarri Joseph were the two changes made by GT and they will be replacing Hardik and Matthew Wade. As for Chennai, they opted to field the same team that won their first game of the season against RCB.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja(c), MS Dhoni(w), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan(c), Alzarri Joseph, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami
