For the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins today, Chennai Super Kings have signed Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff as a substitute for Josh Hazlewood. Behrendorff replaces Hazlewood, who withdrew from this year’s tournament earlier this month to spend more time with his family. Behrendorff will be playing in his second IPL season, having previously joined Mumbai Indians in 2019, where he appeared in five matches and took five wickets. Behrendorff, a left-arm fast, has played in 11 ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia so far.
NEWS: @ChennaiIPL sign Jason Behrendorff as replacement for Josh Hazlewood. @Vivo_India #VIVOIPL
More details 👉 https://t.co/XIZSzQZqSb pic.twitter.com/8lRptsIv5c— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 9, 2021
Hazlewood had been scheduled to travel to India with Australia’s IPL-bound players, but he opted to cancel to spend more time with his family. In an interview with cricket.com.au, he said, “It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at various times, so I’ve decided to take a break from cricket and spend the next two months at home and in Australia. We’re also in for a long winter. The West Indies tour will be lengthy, with a Bangladesh T20 tour maybe tossed in at the end.”
“Plus there’s the possibility of the T20 World Cup leading up to the Ashes, so it’ll be a major 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to make sure I’m mentally and physically prepared. That’s the choice I’ve taken, and it’s one I’m happy about.” This year’s Ashes, West Indies, and a potential Bangladesh tour, as well as the T20 World Cup in India, were all important considerations in Hazlewood’s decision.
On Saturday, April 10, the Chennai Super Kings will play the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium to begin their season.