IPL 2022: Mumbai Indians drop Kieron Pollard; Rohit Sharma reveals reason ahead of Chennai Super Kings match

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Mumbai Indians all-rounder and one of their key retentions ahead of IPL 2022, Kieron Pollard has been dropped from the playing XI ahead of clash against arch-rivals Mumbai Indian here at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. He was replaced by South Africa's Tristan Stubbs in MI's playing XI. 

Ro-MSDtossImageNostalgia.JPEG #OneFamily #DilKholKe #MumbaiIndians #CSKvMI @ImRo45 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/zOFxgZXANy

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 12, 2022

Pollard has picked up just 4 wickets in the IPL 2022 and has consistently struggled to score runs too. Pollard so far has failed to live up to his reputation of being one of the best all-rounders and explosive batters in the league, scoring just 144 runs 11 matches with a strike rate of 107.4.

After winning the toss Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said, "We will field first. It's the nature of the ground, and what suits our team. Nothing has worked for us this season. Keep an eye on the future, Pollard is out and Stubbs is in. Shokeen comes in for Ashwin. He was the one who came up to us and he was ready for it. We want to try out a few players, got to see what they have to offer. Looks a good track, hope it plays well throughout the 40 overs. It's brilliant to play against Chennai, it's always like that. We need to try and win the game."

Meanwhile,  Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field first.  CSK sit at the ninth position in the points tally, having registered three wins in their last five games. Their last match saw them register a 91-run win over Delhi Capitals.

On the other hand, MI, though out of the tournament, will look forward to playing a spoilsport for CSK and for the other teams by playing some fearless cricket during their last three games of the campaign. They have two wins in their last five games. In their last game, the side registered a 52-run loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Tristan Stubbs, who came as a replacement for pacer Tymal Mills will make his debut for MI today, replacing Kieron Pollard. Hritik Shokeen will also come in replacing Murugan Ashwin.

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni said, "It has worked for us, batting first. We are playing with the same team. Someone like a Jaddu, he is one of those who helps us try out combinations. It's tough to replace him, don't think anyone can field better, no replacement in that aspect.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Tristan Stubbs, Ramandeep Singh, Tim David, Daniel Sams, Kumar Kartikeya, Hrithik Shokeen, Jasprit Bumrah, Riley Meredith

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni(w/c), Dwayne Bravo, Maheesh Theekshana, Simarjeet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary.