Why is Keshav Maharaj not playing IPL 2024 Match 31 between KKR vs RR?

Keshav Maharaj ( Photo source : X / Twitter )

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are about to take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 31 of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson won the toss and invited KKR to bat first. Coming into the game on the back of a win against Punjab Kings by three wickets, Rajasthan were forced to make a couple of changes to their playing XI as star players Ravichandran Ashwin and Jos Buttler returned to the team.

Notably, Buttler missed the last game against Punjab as he wasn’t at his 100% fitness. The RR opener had a slow start to the season scoring just 35 runs in the first three games. However, he made a brilliant comeback with an unbeaten 100* (58) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing.

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On the other hand, Ashwin, who missed the last game against PBKS due to niggle, hasn’t had a memorable season with the bowl having picked up just one wicket from five matches. However, he played some useful cameos with the bat in the two innings scoring 45 runs.

Tanush Kotian makes way for Jos Buttler

To make way for the two star players, the RR management benched left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who had a brilliant outing in the last game registering figures of 2/23 in four overs as he dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran. All-rounder Tanush Kotian, who made his IPL debut in the previous game, also had to warm the bench to make way for Buttler.

Notably, the 25-year-old didn’t have a memorable first outing in the cash-rich league scoring just 24 (31) opening the innings. Meanwhile, KKR fielded the same playing XI from their win over Lucknow Super Giants in the last game.