The most experienced bowler Harbhajan Singh has officially opted out of IPL 2020, “due to personal reasons.”
The most experienced spin bowler for Chennai Super Kings has opted out of this season’s IPL. He made the announcement via tweet and also thanked the management for being supportive. CSK has faced a lot of trouble in the pre-season.
Firstly due to COVID-19, the season got postponed which left their pre-season camp incomplete. Next, 13 members tested positive for the deadly infection. Suresh Raina also flew back to India due to personal reasons and now Harbhajan Singh has also opted out as well.
Harbhajan Singh is the second CSK player who has opted out of IPL. Harbhajan Singh did not attempt the optional training camp which was organized by Chennai Super Kings at the beginning of August. Also, he told management that he would join later owing to personal reasons.
Harbhajan Singh had told 2 months back that he would definitely attend the IPL 2020 if the authorities provide all the safety and assure that all the players will be safe from the virus.
He said, “I really want the IPL to happen but only when things are safe not just for me but for everybody associated with the tournament. There are about 200-300 people on the ground whenever a match is played and we need to take care of the safety of everybody present,” Harbhajan had said on Salaam Cricket.
“Even if there is a 1% chance of the threat of spreading Covid-19 from one of us then IPL should be further postponed. It’s not an issue even if the IPL doesn’t happen this year. Saving lives is the most important.”
The CSK management was a bit positive as the two players who had tested positive for COVID along with other members tested negative on Thursday. But now Harbhajan Singh’s new of missing IPL might ask questions to the CSK Management.
The Chennai Super Kings franchise has been quarantined since the day they reached Dubai and are yet to attend an outdoor nets session. The team had reached Dubai on21 August with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
However, the latter two teams have started their net sessions in full swing and only Chennai Super Kings are left to begin their session.
All the players have cleared the essential testings and all the members have tested negative now and can resume the sessions now except Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar who will still be isolated from the team.
With Harbhajan outing out the responsibility in the spin department will rely more on Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir owing to their vast experience in the International Cricket. Although CSK has a lot of bowling options in the spin department, the absence of Harbhajan will surely be missed due to his 12 years of experience of playing in the league.
The BCCI committee has also made it clear that no fans will be allowed in the stadiums and all the games will be placed behind the closed doors.
The venues for IPL games are Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi and all the three stadiums will have games in shifts.
Also, tests for COVID-19 would be done for every player as well the member of the team on a frequent basis.
Yesterday the official announcement came from Mumbai Indians that Lasith Malinga won’t be a part of this year’s IPL.
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