Chennai Super Kings suffered a massive blow on Thursday as Josh Hazlewood decided to withdraw his name from the IPL 2021. The pace bowler has reportedly made this decision due to Australia’s challenging schedule for the rest of 2021. CSK’s CEO Kasi Vishwanathan told WION that the franchise has not decided on Josh Hazlewood’s replacement and they are yet to discuss it.Â
“We haven’t decided anything on Josh Hazlewood’s replacement. We are yet to discuss it.”
Hazlewood will not play in IPL due to stressful life in bio-bubble in the last ten months, Moreover, Australia will be having couple of challenging assignments later this year. The 30-year-old was part of the CSK team last year in IPL 2020.
After playing for CSK in UAE, Hazelwood was part of the Australian team’s bio bubble for India’s long tour of Australia. He is also expected to play for Australia in T-20 World Cup later this year which will be hosted by India. He will be also part of the Ashes squad against England in December, so his decision to pull out of IPL 2021 is understandable. However, CSK is likely to be angered by the timing of this decision.
Chennai Super Kings may need like for like replacement
Earlier this week, SRH also found themselves in a similar situation. Mitchell Marsh opted out of IPL 2021 due to bubble fatigue. SRH ended up bringing in a batsman rather than an all-rounder to replace him. England’s Jason Roy is set to join up SRH’s squad in Chennai. CSK will need a like-for-like replacement in Hazlewood’s case.
Lungi Ngidi is the primary overseas fast bowling option for CSK this season. They may need more depth in this position, so another seamer could come in for Hazlewood. Sam Curran is also a pace bowler, but he will slot as an all-rounder in the lineup. CSK will be looking to sort this personnel issue before the first game of the season on April 10.