Chennai Super Kings have been dealt with a massive blow ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has pulled out of the upcoming cash-rich league. More trouble awaits from the franchise as they found it difficult to rope in a replacement for the parting fast bowler ahead of the start of IPL 2021.
If reports are to be believed, the Super Kings management had approached Aussie paceman Billy Stanlake and England left-arm pacer Reece Topley as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood. However, both of them have turned the offers down, the reason being the increased number of COVID-19 cases in India. Topley was recently in India with the England squad for the series against India.
Chennai Super Kings find it difficult to sign Josh Hazlewood’s replacement
“Many of them have contracts with English county teams and the permissions aren’t forthcoming due to the rising number of Covid cases. We may have to go for a wildcard and may get one soon enough. But the problems do persist,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying to The Times of India (TOI).
As they sweat over the replacement of Josh Hazlewood, Chennai Super Kings will be happy that star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has fully recovered from his injury and has resumed training. Incidentally, the ace all-rounder sustained an injury during the series against Australia and missed the entire England series. The source added that Jadeja bowled and batted during the training session and looked fit to go from the first game.
“He batted and bowled in the nets and looked pretty good at that. He will definitely be a part of the playing XI,” the source added.
Meanwhile, BCCI has been under the scanner after a couple of COVID-19 cases has been reported one week prior to the start of IPL 2021. After Nitish Rana and Axar Patel, star opener from Royal Challengers Bangalore – Devdutt Padikkal has been tested for COVID-19 and is likely to miss the first few games for Bangalore.