IPL 2021: Billy Stanlake and Reece Topley refused to join CSK
One of the most loved teams in the T20 format Chennai Super Kings is yet to find a replacement for Josh Hazlewood who pulled out his name from IPL 2021.
They finished up the last season in the 7th position on the league table with six wins from 14 games. The Dhoni-led side is now in big trouble as they could not find a proper replacement for the Australian right-hand pacer Josh Hazlewood.
Moreover, the 14th edition of the cash-rich contest is all set to commence on April 9. According to that, Chennai Super Kings will be hoping to rope an overseas pacer who can take the charge in the absence of any other players from the side.
Billy Stanlake and Reece Topley has refused to join CSK for iPL 2021
The Australian right-hand fast bowler Billy Stanlake and England pacer Reece Topley has refused the offer from CSK due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in India.
As per reports from the Times of India "Many of them have contracts with English county teams and the permissions aren’t forthcoming due to the rising number of Covid cases. We may have to go for a wildcard and may get one soon enough. But the problems do persist," CSK management stated.
Besides, Josh Hazlewood said "We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown at 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."
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Ravindra Jadeja is fit, Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to open for CSK
Regarded as the best fielder of the modern era, Ravindra Jadeja seems to be fit ahead of the league. Since the Australia tour, the latter has been out of action after suffering an injury during the Test series against Australia.
CSK management claimed that "He batted and bowled in the nets and looked pretty good at that. He will definitely be a part of the playing XI." Ruturaj Gaikwad on the other hand has impressed the side in IPL 2020.
The right-handed batsman amassed 201 runs from his six outings that he played at an average of 51 including three fifties to his name. Considering his recent form, Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to open the innings for Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2021.