IPL 2021: Jason Behrendorff replaces Josh Hazlewood in CSK squad

Chennai Super Kings have named Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Jason Behrendorff as the replacement for Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Hazlewood had decided to pull out of IPL 2021 due to bubble fatigue. The Australian fast bowler has been part of multiple bio bubbles since August 2020 and wanted to be fresh and ready for the big summer after the IPL.

Meanwhile, Jason Behrendorff last played in the IPL in 2019 when he represented Mumbai Indians. The left-arm fast bowler from New South Wales scalped five wickets in as many matches as he played for the franchise.

The 30-year old Australian has played 11 ODI matches in which he has scalped 16 wickets. Furthermore, Behrendorff has featured in seven T20Is for Australia in which he has snared seven wickets.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood had withdrawn from the IPL at the eleventh hour of the tournament.

“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. We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh potentially thrown on the end of that. 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.”

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood became the third Australian player after Josh Philippe and Mithell Marsh to pull out of IPL 2021 due to bubble fatigue.

Chennai couldn’t qualify for the playoff stages in the previous edition as they finished at seventh place and thus they will aim to turn the tables. CSK will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 10th April.