Why is Jonny Bairstow not playing today's PBKS vs MI IPL 2024 match? 

Punjab Kings (PBKS) opening batter Jonny Bairstow has been struggling for form and was hanging onto his place in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). The Englishman, however, seems to run out of rope as he has been dropped from the playing XI altogether for the upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mullanpur on Thursday.

Bairstow, who missed the entirety of the last season due to injury, was slotted in at the top of the order with Shikhar Dhawan to begin with. However, their poor form as well as Prabhsimran Singh's lack of contribution at No.3 has played a huge role in PBKS' misfortune this season so far.

Bairstow has only scored 96 runs in six matches in the 2024 IPL at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 131.51. He has recorded double figures three times, and his last couple of innings were concerning as well. He was dismissed for a three-ball duck against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and scored only 15 runs off 19 deliveries in the loss against the Rajasthan Royals.

PBKS stand-in skipper Sam Curran confirmed that Jonny Bairstow has been replaced by Rilee Rossouw in the playing XI, primarily because of his poor returns so far as no injury was mentioned.

"We're going to have a bowl. I think it's been the trend so far in this ground. We're hoping to bowl well and put them under pressure. (Fitness news) Shikhar's still not fit so I think that's the only thing at the moment. Rilee Rossouw comes in for Jonny Bairstow," Sam Curran said after opting to bowl first.

Rilee Rossouw was one of PBKS' big-money signings at the 2024 mini-auction. They spent ₹8 crore on him following an intense bidding war with the Delhi Capitals (DC).

---

What will PBKS' opening combination be without Dhawan and Bairstow?

Following consecutive losses largely on the back of poor top-order batting, PBKS have opted to make some radical changes. The team have even dropped Atharva Taide, leading to two new opening batters in the playing XI.

Prabhsimran Singh is more than likely to be one of the openers having played in the position in the domestic circuit as well as for the franchise in the past. His hundred in the 2023 edition against DC came at the top of the order.