Why is Gerald Coetzee not playing today’s DC vs MI IPL 2024 match?

Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of their playing XI against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday (April 27). Luke Wood has replaced Coetzee in the XI as the latter has suffered a stomach bug.

The development comes as a setback for MI as Coetzee has bagged 12 wickets in eight matches this season so far. The South African speedster finished with exceptional figures of 4/34 against DC in his previous outing in Wankhede as Mumbai won that game by 29 runs.

At the toss, MI captain Hardik Pandya said:

"Only one change, Coetzee has a stomach bug, Luke Wood comes in for him."

Wood, who returned wicketless in his only game against Gujarat Titans (GT), will be keen to deliver in Coetzee's absence. The English bowler, though, has bagged 147 wickets in 141 T20s so far. He has played in several T20 leagues around the world, including the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League, and The Hundred, among others.

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MI opt to bowl against DC in IPL 2024 match

MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to bowl against DC in the IPL on Saturday. The all-rounder revealed why Mumbai opted to chase in the contest:

"We're going to bowl first. The ground is small. It's better to bat second on a smaller ground."

On the other hand, DC also made a solitary change as Prithvi Shaw made way for Kumar Kushagra in the playing XI.

The Rishabh Pant-led side are currently placed sixth in the points table with four wins in nine matches. They would look to continue their winning momentum after a narrow four-run win over GT in their last outing at the same venue.

Meanwhile, MI are ninth with three wins in eight matches so far. They lost to Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets in a one-sided match and would be keen to return to winning ways.

Follow the DC vs MI IPL 2024 live score and updates here.