IPL 2021: Here's why Dwayne Bravo is missing out on CSK's fixture against KKR

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Dwayne Bravo missed out in the playing XI of his team against Kolkata Knight Riders owing to a niggle, skipper MS Dhoni confirmed at the toss. Bravo was a part of both of CSK’s fixtures in the UAE leg thus far, picking 3/25 against Mumbai Indians in Dubai apart from scoring a quickfire 8-ball 23 before claiming 3/24 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah.

Bravo, who led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden CPL triumph, joined IPL straight after the Caribbean tournament, which ended on September 15. “We have one change – Curran comes in for Bravo. He had a few niggles in the CPL, so we need to make sure he doesn’t develop them further. The support staff is very important. Having experienced players in the side helps. In IPL it’s about managing the combinations,” CSK skipper Dhoni informed at the toss.

England all-rounder Sam Curran, who has played 31 IPL games, will feature for the first time in the UAE leg, having played each one of the seven games for CSK in India before the tournament was suspended due to the emergence of Covid-19 cases inside the bio-secure environment, forcing an indefinite postponement.

CSK, placed second on the table behind Delhi Capitals, are playing their first afternoon encounter, as are the fourth-placed KKR, who, too, have won both their encounters in the UAE leg against RCB and MI.

CSK opener Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, sounded optimistic returning to Abu Dhabi about his team’s balance. du Plessis concussed himself badly during Pakistan Super League earlier this year at the same venue.

“I walked in here today and I realised the last time I was here was when I picked up my concussion. So, it’s probably not the best start to the day so it can only get better from there hopefully. Took a long time – four months to get through that. Still having neck issues from that incident but nothing that’s going to keep me off the park.”

“MS asked me how am I to do those high pocket areas and I said I’m good to go. Especially the last time we were in Dubai we felt we needed to make some improvements. Our team balance is better from that point of view. Our batting lineup is also better suited than what it was a year or two ago. We bat very very deep. Have got a lot of guys coming in and attacking straight away,” Faf told broadcasters ahead of the start of the game.

“If you look at guys like Rayudu and Moeen coming in at three and four – they come in and keep the pressure on. At the top, I and Ritu try to assess conditions and get us off to a good start. Heat (what do you expect?). First day game for us so it’ll be pretty hot. Different conditions – we haven’t played here in this leg yet.