Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to miss their star opener and wicket-keeper, Quinton de Kock, for the tournament opener on April 9. The 28-year-old is currently part of the South Africa squad for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan. De Kock is amongst the five players — Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje (both Delhi Capitals) hard hitter David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), pacer Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) — in the squad and is expected to join their respective franchises ahead of the season. The players will be involved in the ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan which gets underway from April 2. De Kock, who is an important member of the Mumbai Indians batting line-up, will also miss his side's opening clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9. However, in his absence, Mumbai Indians can hand Chris Lynn his MI debut and play Ishan Kishan as the wicket-keeper batsman.
The new season gets underway from April 09 with the season-opener between RCB and Mumbai Indians in Chennai. According to Inside Sport, these players might miss one or two matches depending on the quarantine requirements once they arrive in India. If they are shifted directly from one bio-bubble to another they might not have to undergo hard quarantine for seven days. Rabada and Nortje are the two vital cogs of the Delhi Capitals bowling attack and were the top two wicket-takers for their side last season in the UAE. The duo is likely to miss DC's first game against CSK. This comes as a major blow for Delhi, who are already missing the services of their captain Shreyas Iyer due to a shoulder injury. CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan has confirmed that South Africa pacer Lungi Ndidi will be available only after April 5 and will miss his side's opening game against Delhi Capitals on April 10. “Ngidi will join the team only after April 5. Ngidi will have to follow the same guidelines as others and will be put in quarantine once he arrives. Therefore he will not be available for selection for the opening game," Kasi Vishwanathan was quoted as saying by InsideSport.
