Here is why Ashwani Kumar Isn’t Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match 41 Against SRH

The 41st match of IPL 2025 features the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) facing off against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Winning an important toss, Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya has elected to bowl first. He mentioned that the track looks good and they need to execute their plans well. Hardik also passed his condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir. The news ahead of the match is the absence of Ashwani Kumar from the MI playing XI. Vignesh Puthur comes in his place.

Mumbai Capitals Opt to Bowl First in Hyderabad

Hardik Pandya, leading the Mumbai Indians, said that the track looks good and they’ll just try to execute their plans. He said that they need to take the game as simply as possible and plan properly. Pandya expressed his grief and passed condolences for the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir. “ I would like to firstly pass my condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack. We as a team and a franchise condemn any such attacks. We’ll bowl first tonight. Looks like a good track, just one change for us – Vignesh comes in for Ashwani. We need to just execute our plans and take the game as simply as possible, plan properly.” Axar said.

MI are playing with key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner and Vignesh Puthur.

Cummins grieves over the Pahalgam tragedy

Pat Cummins, captaining the SRH side, expressed his grief and passed condolences for the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir. He said that his team’s thoughts are with the victims and their families. Talking about the pitch, he said that his team knows the surface and the ground well. Cummins mentioned that they have played good cricket this year. He informed that Jaydev Unadkat comes in the place of Mohammed Shami. However, Shami can feature in the game through the Impact Player rule. “One change for us – Jaydev comes in, Shami goes out to the impact player list. (On playing on this surface) It is a cause for optimism, we know this surface and ground really well. We’ve played some really good cricket this year. (On the Pahalgam terror attack) It has been heartbreaking for us as well, our thoughts are with the victims and their families.” Cummins said.

Why Ashwani Kumar is not playing today

Ashwani Kumar, who made an impressive debut in IPL earlier this season, has been benched by MI. Hardik Pandya confirmed the decision at the time of the toss. Vignesh Puthur, a left-arm wrist spinner, comes in his place. Pandya did not mention the reason behind the decision.

However, one reason behind the decision can be the matchup against SRH batters. SRH batting lineup, especially the top order, is full of left-handers- Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Puthur, with his left arm wrist spin, can be an effective weapon against the batters.

Puthur has picked up 6 wickets in his IPL career in 4 matches. He made his debut in the season opener against the Chennai Super Kings. Ashwani Kumar has picked up 6 wickets too, in 3 games.

Playing XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad Playing XI:

Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins(c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga

Mumbai Indians XI:

Ryan Rickelton(w), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Vignesh Puthur

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