![Mayank Yadav returns [Source: @MidnightMusinng/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1745747149325_MayankYadavreturns(1).jpg?type=mq)
Mayank Yadav returns [Source: @MidnightMusinng/x.com]
The Mumbai Indians will collide with the Lucknow Super Giants in a riveting battle and this is a crucial game in the context of playoff. Both the sides are in the race to reach the knockout stage and thus the contest holds utmost importance. For starters, LSG won the toss and Rishabh Pant elected to bat first.
Pant made a surprising call at toss time as he decided to bench Shardul Thakur for this all-important match and instead, brought in Mayank Yadav in the playing XI. But why did he exclude LSG's best bowler of the tournament?.
Why Pant replaced Shardul with Mayank?
Mayank is known for his express pace and Wankhede surface has something for the pacers and the LSG pacer could exploit the extra pace and bounce from the surface. While Shardul can clock 135-140 km/h, Mayank can go upto 150 km/h and that extra speed could cause trouble to the famed Mumbai Indians batting lineup.
Shardul Thakur is an exceptional swing bowler, but to trouble the best of MI batters, one needs more than swing and Mayank has that X-factor, and hence, he was brought in the side.
No Bumrah in playing XI
Jasprit Bumrah, the MI pacer was not there in the playing XI, but was named in the Impact Subs. MI will be bowling second and barring any batting collapse, the team will bring on Bumrah as the Impact Player to defend the total.
LSG Playing XI
1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Mayank Yadav, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Digvesh Rathi, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Prince Yadav
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
