CSK: Josh Hazlewood opts out of IPL 2021

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood will be missing the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

The pacer has been in the bio-bubble for more than 10 months now and with busy summer, world cup coming up, he wanted to give himself “the best chance to be mentally and physically ready”.

“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 on Wednesday. 

“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 WC 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, who had represented Chennai Super Kings for three matches, is the third Australian to opt out of IPL2021 recently. Josh Philippe and Mitchell Marsh are the other two players.