IPL 2023: Revealed: Why Jofra Archer isn't included in Mumbai Indians' playing XI vs GT

Jofra Archer isn't included in Mumbai Indians' playing XI against Gujarat Titans tonight.

After the 35th game today, the IPL 2023 is at its halfway stage. Tuesday night will complete 7 games each for every team in the league. Defending champions Gujarat Titans are taking on Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Rohit Sharma has won the toss and has decided to put Gujarat bat first in batting-friendly conditions in Ahmedabad. Before the game, MI faced a setback. Jofra Archer after playing one more game for MI is out once again. Persistent injury and fitness problems with Jofra Archer has put a question mark on his participation in the league once again.

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has informed that Jofra Archer is unwell for Tuesday’s game. Rohit Sharma at the toss said, “Two changes for MI, Jofra Archer is out because he is not feeling well, in place of him Riley Meredith comes back in, and Kumar Kartikeya comes in for Hrithik Shokeen”. MI have also made a change in Kumar Kartikeya, he will be accompanying leg Spinner Piyush Chawla. Karikeya had a good IPL 2022 season. Gujarat Titans have also made a change, Josh Little is back in their playing eleven.

Mumbai Indians spent 8 crore on Jofra Archer in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Archer since then has played only 2 Mumbai Indians games. MI in this duration had played 21 games. Archer is one of the most celebrated names among pace bowlers in the cricket world right now. His continuous fitness problems have put him out of action once again. Archer in the two games for MI has bowled 8 overs conceding 75 runs and picking up just one wicket. This might be a blessing in disguise for MI as well. Meredith was in good rhythm this season and he can be beneficial for the MI against Gujarat Titans.

Mumbai Indians Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (Wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Kumar Kartikeya, Arjun Tendulkar, Riley Meredith, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff.

Gujarat Titans Playing XI:

Wriddhiman Saha (Wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (C), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Mohit Sharma.