Lungi Ngidi and Jason Behrendorff will not be available for Chennai Super Kings’ next match against Punjab Kings, according to head coach Stephen Fleming. After opting out of this year’s version to spend time with his family, Jason Behrendorff was recently named as Josh Hazlewood’s replacement in the Chennai Super Kings’ squad for IPL 2021. Ngidi is completing his seven-day quarantine time as per BCCI and IPL guidelines after arriving late for the tournament due to his participation in Pakistan’s ongoing tour of South Africa.
In a post-match press conference, Fleming said, “Ngidi will not be present. He won’t be able to make it to the next game. So missing Josh Hazlewood, who was supposed to be eligible for these games, is a blow just as a front-line pick. Ngidi will be here shortly.”
“That will be followed by Behrendorff. [Bowling] It’s definitely a place that we’re lacking. However, we continue to look at Indian bowlers, like international bowler Sam Curran “Fleming went on to say.
Behrendorff’s only appearance in the IPL was with the Mumbai Indians in the 2019 edition, where he took five wickets in five games.
On Saturday, CSK lost by seven wickets to Delhi Capitals in their first match of the season. Despite dropping the openers early in the game, Fleming praised the batters for leading the team to a total of 188 runs.
On April 16, CSK will face Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.