Three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Australia pacer Jason Behrendorff as replacement for Josh Hazlewood for the IPL 2021 which kick-starts in Chennai on Friday.
IPL released a statement confirming the news. Notably, Josh Hazlewood, also an Australia fast bowler, had pulled out of the tournament citing bio-bubble fatigue as the reason.
“Chennai Super Kings sign Jason Behrendorff as replacement for Josh Hazlewood.
“Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff has signed up with the Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for compatriot Josh Hazlewood for the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
“The left-arm quick has featured in 11 ODIs and seven T20Is so far. This is Behrendorff’s second IPL team, having represented Mumbai Indians in 2019 where he played five matches and picked as many wickets,” IPL said in its official statement.
Overall, Jason Behrendorff has played 79 T20 matches and taken 90 wickets in them. CSK will play their first match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday.
Josh Hazlewood was bought for Rs 2 crore by the 3-time champions ahead of IPL 2020. The fast bowler had last year traveled to the UAE for the 13th edition and featured in 3 matches for the ‘Yellow Army’.
However, this time around he pulled out of the league just 9 days ahead of CSK’s first match against Delhi Capitals.
“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 told cricket.com.au
“Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that. That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me,” he added.
Hazlewood was the third cricketer from Australia after Josh Philippe (RCB) and Mitchell Marsh (SRH) to opt out of IPL 2021.
