Mumbai bowl first, Ferguson replaces Stokes

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians opted to bowl first in the first qualifier against Rising Pune Supergiant in Mumbai.

Pune captain Steve Smith put an end to all the speculations surrounding on Stokes’s replacement by drafting in New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson. Pune have decided to go in with an extra bowler, which means Dhoni will bat at No.4. 

As expected, Mumbai Indians brought back all their main weapons who were rested in their last group match against Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Interestingly, young Nitish Rana misses out as Rayudu, playing only his second match of the IPL had slammed a match winning 63 against KKR.

Mumbai seamers will look to take early advantage of the humid conditions.   

Teams 

RPS XI: A Rahane, R Tripathi, S Smith, MS Dhoni, M Tiwary, D Christian, W Sundar, L Ferguson, A Zampa, S Thakur, J Unadkat

MI XI: A Rayudu, L Simmons, P Patel, K Pollard, RG Sharma, K Pandya, K Sharma, H Pandya, J Bumrah, L Malinga, M McClenaghan