IPL 2023: Why Is Hardik Pandya Not Playing In Today's GT vs KKR Match

IPL 2023: Rashid Khan is leading Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders in absence of Hardik Pandya.

While everyone was expecting home captain Hardik Pandya to walk out for the toss, it was Rashid Khan instead who came to the toss along with Nitish Rana. ( Image Source :AFP )

The first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) double header on Sunday is being played between the Gujarat Titans and the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While everyone was expecting home captain Hardik Pandya to walk out for the toss, it was Rashid Khan instead who came to the toss which caught not only fans but even the broadcasters and commentators by suprise.

However, Rashid who is leading the team in this match and has decided to bat first after winning the toss later clarified why was the star all-rounder not playing this match.

"Just unwell slightly (Hardik), don't want to take risks with him. As a team we will try to play good cricket. We would like to bat well and put runs on the board. Just one change, Vijay Shankar is in for Hardik," he told Sanjay Manjrekar at the toss.

Meanwhile, KKR captain Nitish Rana admitted that even they would have looked to bat first in hot weather conditions and felt that defending could have been easier. He announced two changes to their Playing XI as Lockie Ferguson replaces Tim Southee while Mandeep Singh had to make way for Jagadeesan.

"We wanted to bat first as well because of the weather and conditions. I felt defending might be easier. We had in our minds that batting first would be the way to go so that our spinners can make use of the surface in the second half but it's okay. We have two changes. Lockie Fergusoncomes in for Tim Southee and Mandeep Singh makes way for Jagadeesan," Rana said at the toss.

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

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), N Jagadeesan, Nitish Rana (captain), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Suyash Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy