CSK vs RR: Why is Trent Boult not playing today's IPL 2023 match?

The Indian Premier League season 16 is getting exciting with every passing match as the last three out of the four matches of the competition concluded as last-ball thrillers. The action in the T20 extravaganza continued on Wednesday, April 12 as Chennai Super Kings took on Rajasthan Royals at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

CSK captain MS Dhoni, who was captaining the side for the 200^th time, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Rajasthan Royals suffered a big blow heading into the fixture as star seamer Trent Boult was benched in the encounter due to a niggle. Speaking at the toss, captain Sanju Samson gave an update on Boult’s injury and revealed that they have made a couple of changes to the playing XI.

“We would have liked to bowl first too. We have started well but we need to continue the momentum. We have experience and the youngsters to do that. It has always been a pleasure to come to Chepauk and play here. Boulty misses out due to a small niggle and we have a couple of changes, you will come to know that,” said Samson at the toss.

Trent Boult has been in sensational form of late as he’s led Rajasthan’s pace attack. The left-arm seamer has five wickets to his name from three matches at an average of 17.60. He gave terrific starts to his side in their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad and the third fixture against Delhi Capitals by bowling a double-wicket maiden on both occasions.

Riyan Parag also gets benched

Boult has been phenomenal with the new ball wreaking havoc with his ability to swing the ball both ways. He’s been replaced by right-arm seamer Kuldeep Sen who has played seven IPL matches and picked up eight wickets in his career.

The other change in RR's playing XI was of Devdutt Padikkal who was brought in place of Riyan Parag. Parag has failed to live up to the expectations of the franchise as he’s only scored 556 runs in 40 innings at an average of 16.35 and a strike rate of 124.38 with two half-centuries to his name. He further has picked up four wickets in 19 innings at an average of 70 and an economy of 10.7.