The Zaheer Khan led Delhi Daredevils, in their first game Mumbai Indians this season won the toss and decided to bowl first. The skipper went with an all-pace attack with Amit Mishra the only spinner in the side.
Kagiso Rabada, the debutant was included in the eleven in place of Sam Billings. In the other changes, Angelo Matthews and Jayant Yadav made way for Corey Anderson and opener Aditya Tare.
This change also means that it will be Tare who will open the innings in place of England’s recruit Billings.
The home side made one change to the team bringing in Mitchell Johnson in place of unwell Lasith Malinga.
Here is what both the captains said at the time of the toss –
Rohit Sharma:
“Malinga is under the weather, he’s not feeling well. We have left him out. Mitchell Johnson comes in for him. We have been playing well for the last couple of weeks. We have not batted first, so it is a challenge for us. Not really. It looks the same track like the one in 2016. Seems a bit dry and there will be some bounce for the fast bowlers. You got to use it to your advantage and we have to put up a good show. We have played enough cricket here to understand what the surface does.
Zaheer Khan:
“We are going to bowl first. Mumbai being hometown for me, the heart is always with Mumbai. Will look to put up a nice show and hope everybody have a good time. Sleep on time, eat on time and exercise regularly. It’s a good challenge. We have three changes: Jayant is out. Angelo is out and Sam is also out. We have a full pace battery playing today. KG (Rabada) is debuting. Tare and Anderson are playing.
Here is the playing XI of both the sides –
Mumbai Indians Playing XI): Parthiv Patel(w), Jos Buttler, Nitish Rana, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma(c), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Mitchell Johnson, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah