Some of the recnet reports of Times of India (TOI) suggest that the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after releasing their deputy skipper, Suresh Raina due to personal reasons can also be expected to miss the veteran spinner, Harbhajan Singh as the latter is yet to join the team in the UAE for the 13th edition of the IPL.
Recent reports of NDTV said, Harbhajan has pulled out of the IPL 2020 due to personal reasons. He has conveyed his decision to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday. He had remained in India. The development comes on the back of some positive news for the Chennai-based franchise.
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Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments said that while he is yet to officially inform the franchise about his availability, the team is preparing for life minus Harbhajan in this edition of the cash-rich league. The source said, “He has not sent in any official communication and that is expected by today evening or tomorrow. But the team management has been told to prepare for the scenario wherein they may miss his services.”
Last week, news of Raina leaving the team and coming back to India as a big jolt as he has been an integral part of the franchise since the inaugural edition of the tournament. While there have been a lot of things said about Raina’s sudden departure, the former India cricketer clarified that it was a personal decision and he came back for his family. While he has gone on to add that one might see him back in the team this season itself, CSK as a cricketing unit has not reacted to the same.
On Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) went on to officially confirm in a press release that as many as 13 people have tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in UAE for the IPL 2020.
On September 1, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan had confirmed that there are no fresh coronavirus cases in the contingent. He also went to confirm that the ones who tested positive earlier will be tested once again only after their 14-day quarantine period is over.
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The IPL 2020 is scheduled to be taking place between September 19 and November 10 in the UAE across three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. This time, both the afternoon and evening matches will be played half-an-hour earlier than usual.
