Why Hardik Pandya is not playing against KKR?


image-lg97nq0aHardik Pandya and MS Dhoni during the opening game of IPL 2023 (AP Photo)

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Gujarat Titans (GT) who made GT champion in their inaugural edition, IPL 2022 will not be playing against KKR in match 13 of IPL 2023. GT have also started their IPL 2023 campaign on a bright note by winning their first two games with Hardik Pandya leading with swag and his new-found calmness.

However, Rashid Khan was seen alongside Nitish Rana for the toss of GT-KKR game which raised plenty of questions. Rashid though explained in his interview that Hardik Pandya is unwell and they have decided to take a precautionary measure by not playing him for this game.

This is what Rashid Khan said...

"We will bat first and put the runs on the board. Hardik is unwell. We don't want to take risk and he will be fine soon. It's a fresh wicket and we would want to put the runs on the board. The wicket looks good. Hope to go well. We have made one change. Vijay Shankar comes in place of Hardik Pandya."  

Hardik Pandya has played a key role for GT in their success so far. He has batted at number 4 and has taken responsibility of guiding his team through thick and thin both with the bat and ball. He will be a big miss for GT against high-flying KKR but the good thing for GT is that Vijay Shankar who has replaced him also has shown some good form this season.

Gujarat Titans Playing XI: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal 

Gujarat are still a very good team and they have decided to bat first after winning the toss. A lot will depend on how GT batters cope against the threat of KKR's spin trio.