Josh Hazlewood opts out of IPL 2021

Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood pulled out of IPL 2021 to keep himself fresh for the Ashes and the T20 World Cup scheduled this year. Hazlewood had been a part of quite a few bio-secure bubbles over the past few months and this decision comes to avoid more fatigue caused by the bubbles.

Earlier Hazlewood’s countryman Mitchell Marsh opted out of IPL 2021 citing personal reasons similar to the pacer.

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“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,” Josh Hazlewood told cricket.com.au

“We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) 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,” he added.

With the decision coming 9 days before Chennai Super Kings’ first match in IPL 2021 against Delhi Capitals – it is now a race against time for the yellow jersey team to get a replacement. The overseas options for CSK right now are Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi.

The 30-year-old Aussie pacer made his IPL debut last year in UAE where he picked just 1 wicket in 3 matches. His economy rate though was quite good at 6.40. Hazlewood played 40 T20s taking 44 wickets at an average of 25.88 with an economy rate of 7.50.