Hazlewood has pulled out of IPL citing bubble fatigue and wanting to spend more time with family
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Chennai Super Kings were dealt a huge blow when their star pacer Josh Hazlewood pulled out of this year’s IPL citing bubble fatigue. The Australian pacer was part of a star-studded bowling line-up which included Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Lungi Ngidi, and Dwayne Bravo among others. With Chennai eager to make up for their poor seventh place finish last season, Hazlewood was expected to play a key role in the team’s revival this season.
However, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg reckoned CSK need not worry about Hazlewood pulling out of this year’s IPL. Hogg is confident the South African pacer Ngidi will ably replace the Australian bowler. “CSK had a brilliant bowling line up with Hazlewood in it, but one man doesn’t make a team, Ngidi will fill that void with the Australian pulling out. #CSK looking fairly strong this year. #IPL2021,” tweeted Hogg.
CSK had a brilliant bowling line up with Hazlewood in it, but one man doesn’t make a team, Ngidi will fill that void with the Australian pulling out. #CSK looking fairly strong this year. #IPL2021
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) April 1, 2021
Opening up on his decision to skip the IPL, Hazlewood stressed the importance of wanting to spend more time with his family. “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,” cricket.com.au quoted Hazlewood as saying.
The pacer went on to explain the importance of being mentally and physically ready ahead of a busy international calendar. He added, “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.”
He further said, “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.”
The IPL 2021 is set to commence on April 9th with Mumbai Indians facing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener. The first match for MS Dhoni-led CSK will be on April 10th against Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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