In a surprising turn of events, Lucknow Super Giants skipper Krunal Pandya has made significant changes to the team’s Playing XI for their crucial match against the Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Sports City in Lucknow today.
Why is Avesh Khan not playing today against Mumbai Indians?
After winning the toss, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma invited the hosts to bat first on their home ground. Pandya, while announcing the teams, raised eyebrows as he omitted the name of pacer Avesh Khan from the lineup. Although Pandya did not reveal the reason behind this decision, it is widely assumed that it is due to Avesh’s recent below-average form.
“It’s a good toss to lose. We would have batted first as well. Every game in IPL is important and there are quite a few changes. Naveen and Deepak Hooda in, Kyle Mayers and Avesh Khan out. There is one more change as well, can’t quite remember it. Everyone is fit and raring to go.”, Krunal Pandya said after losing the toss against Mumbai Indians.
A poor form
In the nine games Avesh has played this season, he has managed to pick up only eight wickets with an economy rate of 9.76. In his last two appearances, Avesh has bowled just six overs, conceding 64 runs and claiming only two wickets. The omission of his name from the impact player substitutes further suggests that Avesh has been dropped from the team for the encounter against the Mumbai Indians.
To replace Avesh Khan, the Lucknow Super Giants have brought in Afghan pacer Naveen ul Haq. Naveen has been in impressive form in IPL 2023, taking seven wickets in five games with an economy rate of 6.13. His inclusion in the team demonstrates the management’s confidence in his abilities and their desire to bolster the bowling attack against the formidable Mumbai Indians lineup.
In addition to the change in the bowling department, the Super Giants have also made a surprising alteration to their batting order. Kyle Mayers, the team’s primary opener, has been dropped from the Playing XI to make room for Naveen ul Haq and included in the impact substitutes. Instead, the team has opted for the Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda.
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