Chennai Super Kings might need a replacement or 2: Aakash Chopra after Harbhajan pulls out of IPL 2020

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra believes Chennai Super Kings might now need a replacement or 2 after Harbhajan Singh became the 2nd CSK player following Suresh Raina to pull out of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.

Harbhajan Singh on Friday revealed he pulled out of IPL 2020 due to personal reasons. The veteran off-spinner appealed for privacy, saying he wants to spend time with his family during these ‘difficult times’. Earlier, Raina had also withdrawn, citing personal reasons.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan on Friday said the 3-time winners are ‘supportive of his decision and stands by him and his family during these testing times’.

Aakash Chopra believes Harbhajan’s decision to pull out of IPL 2020 is a big jolt for CSK. MS Dhoni’s men will be without their vice-captain and a senior spinner, who is on the 3rd spot of all-time wicket-takers in the IPL.

While Raina’s absence leaves them without an ever-dependable top-order batsman, Harbhajan was the only off-spinner in a team full of leg-spinners and left-arm spinners. Dhoni had used Harbhajan expertly against teams packed with left-handers but with the withdrawal of the off-spinner he has only part-time spinner Kedar Jadhav to turn to.

“Harbhajan’s decision to pull out of the #IPL is a big bolt for #CSK. Once again, like in Raina’s case, we must respect his privacy. If he wants to share the reasons, he would. No speculation please. Meanwhile, #CSK might need a replacement or two now….(sic),” Aakash Chopra said in a social media post.

Harbhajan’s decision to pull out of the #IPL is a big bolt for #CSK. Once again, like in Raina’s case, we must respect his privacy. If he wants to share the reasons, he would. No speculation please. ??
Meanwhile, #CSK might need a replacement or two now….

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2020

Aakash Chopra urged the fans and members of the cricket fraternity not to speculate after Harbhajan called for privacy.

The seasoned commentator’s comments come after Suresh Raina had to refute reports of rift in the team. Raina headed back to India after arriving in the UAE along with a batch of the CSK team, led by MS Dhoni on August 21.

Chennai Super Kings was also hit by Covid-19 scare as 13 members, including 2 players, tested positive for Covid-19 during their mandatory 6-day quarantine period in Dubai.

However, CSK confirmed all their other members tested negative for the virus in the 2 additional tests conducted in Dubai.

CSK hit the training grounds on Friday as they became the last team to do so. CSK are likely to take on Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2020 opener, scheduled for September 19.