CSK vs MI, IPL 2021 Phase 2: Why is Hardik Pandya not Playing?

The wait for phase 2 of the IPL 2021 is over. Mumbai Indians is taking Chennai Super Kings in the match 30th of the tournament which is also the first match of the UAE-leg of the tournament. Both the teams would be eager to kick the second leg with a win. The MS Dhoni-led side is placed second on the points table while defending champions are placed fourth on the points table.

Hardik Pandya is not fully fit for the first game

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. While they fielded their regular side with Faf Duplessis, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo and Josh Hazelwood as the four overseas players, Mumbai Indians on the other hand are playing without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma and are led by Kieron Pollard.

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Along with Sharma, Hardik Pandya has also not been included in the playing XI as he’s not fully fit bowl. For Mumbai Indians, Anmolpreet Singh is making his debut and Quinton De Kock, Kieron Pollard, Adam Milne and Trent Boult are the four overseas in the playing XI.

CSK vs MI, IPL 2021 Phase 2: Trent Boult, Adam Milne take MI off the flyer

Mumbai Indians are off the dream start in the first game of the second phase of the Indian Premier League 2021 at Dubai against Chennai Super Kings. Trent Boult, who began the proceedings for defending Champions tested the batsmen and on the fifth ball of his first over send Faf Du Plessis packing for a duck. In the ver next over Adam Milne put CSK under tremendous pressure as he removed Moeen Ali for a three-ball duck.

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If this was not enough Boult sent Suresh Raina packing for 4 runs to leave CSK in all sorts of trouble. With the three  wickets already back in the dressing room, the onus now lies on the other batsmen to take their team to a respectable total.

Related: Aakash Chopra picks RCB Playing 11 ahead of their UAE leg opener