Chennai Super Kings have been dealt with a major blow, days ahead of the start of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Star fast bowler from Australia – Josh Hazlewood has pulled out of IPL 2021 to give himself “the best chance to be mentally and physically ready” as Australia gear up for a power-packed schedule in the next 12 months.
Incidentally, Hazlewood has been a part of different bio-secure bubbles from August 2020 to January this year and has decided to rest and spend some time with the family. He e is the third Australian cricketer after Josh Phillipe and Mitchell Marsh to pull out of IPL 2021.
“It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months,” Hazlewood said to cricket.com.au.
On that note, let us take a look at 3 cricketers who can replace Josh Hazlewood in the Chennai Super Kings line-up for IPL 2021:
#3 Billy Stanlake
The tall and lanky fast bowler from Australia is known for his express pace and bounce. With his prior experience of playing in IPL, Billy Stanlake can be an ideal replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the Chennai Super Kings ranks. Stanlake has been in decent form in the recently concluded Big Bash League where he turned up for Melbourne Stars and in the domestic List A tournament playing for Queensland.
Talking about IPL, Stanlake has plied his trade for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. While he has been a tad expensive going over 8 runs in an over, but his pace and bounce can be a perfect foil for the MS Dhoni-led side who looks to bounce back after a poor IPL 2020.
#2 Mitchell McClenaghan
The former Mumbai Indians fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan was left out of Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2021 auctions. Although he didn’t find a buyer in the auction, no one will doubt the talent the Kiwi fast bowler brings into the side. He was one of the key components of the Mumbai team alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga. He represented Mumbai in 56 games scalping 71 wickets with the best figures of 4 for 21.
The left-arm fast bowler is currently playing domestic cricket back in New Zealand and has been doing exceedingly well for his side Otago. McClenaghan will bring a lot of value to the table if Chennai Super Kings rope him as Josh Hazlewood’s replacement for IPL 2021 scheduled to commence on April 9.
#1 Scott Kuggeleijn
The all-rounder from New Zealand made his international debut back in 2017 but has gained recognition in the last couple of years. Scott Kuggeleijn is a genuine fast bowler who can bowl consistently at 140 kmph and can also bat well lower down the order. He has earlier represented Chennai Super Kings and will be one of the front-runners to replace Josh Hazlewood.
While Kuggeleijn failed to make an impact in his debut IPL season, the Kiwi cricketer has been making the headlines since the last season of the Caribbean Premier League. Playing for the St Lucia Zouks, Kuggeleijn picked 17 wickets in 11 games and was the highest wicket-taker of the season. Following his good performance in the league, he was also picked in the New Zealand T20I squad against the West Indies.
Scott Kuggeleijn is best-suited for the T20 format and can be a perfect addition to the Chennai team for IPL 2021.