IPL 2021: Quinton de Kock Completes Quarantine; Available For Selection vs KKR, Confirms Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan, Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket Operations, has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batsman, Quinton de Kock has completed his mandatory 7-day quarantine and will be available for selection from their second game of the season which is against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday.

Quinton de Kock along with 4 other South African teammates, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi, was involved in the home ODI series against Pakistan, and hence he missed the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, which MI lost on the last ball.

Zaheer Khan informed that the opener has completed his quarantine and also had a net session on Sunday.

“De Kock has completed his quarantine and also had a net session yesterday. He is available for selection for tomorrow’s match,” Zaheer said during a virtual press conference.

Mumbai faces a dilemma regarding  Quinton de Kock and Chris Lynn

In Quinton de Kock’s absence, Chris Lynn, who warmed the bench for the entire season last year, opened alongside Rohit Sharma against RCB.

The Australian came well as, despite running out Rohit Sharma, he returned as the highest run-scorer of the side in a low-scoring game. After a scratchy start, Lynn took apart the RCB bowlers scoring 49 runs with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes.

MI faces a predicament as dropping Lynn after a brilliant batting performance would be harsh; on the other hand, de Kock has been their first-choice opener and helped MI to two titles scoring over 500 runs each.

While Zaheer Khan says that they will take the final call on the two openers on the match-day, however, it seems that the Australian will make way for the Protea opener.

 “We will take the decision closer to the game. Lynn is a pro. You’ve seen his press conference and his dressing room chat as well. He is a good character to have around the dressing room, joking about everything.

“He was jokingly saying that “am I going to get the next game or no? As professional athletes you have to be prepared, you have to align yourself with how the team management is thinking.

“Communication is going to be the key. So on the communication part, we are going to be clear. When you’re part of a good team, a champion side, you have to wait for your opportunities and that’s something that the whole group is aware of,” the former pacer added.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Unimpressed By Manish Pandey’s Strike Rate During KKR Vs SRH Match, Questions Abdul Samad’s Lower Batting Position