Australia paceman Josh Hazelwood has decided to opt-out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). He was all set to depart for India but the pacer decided to give this year’s IPL a miss and spend time with his family.
Will be missing some Josh this #Summerof2021! Hoping for some aussome action soon in #Yellove! #WhistlePodu ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/cTRGbFvHP7
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 1, 2021
The Australian pacer has also decided to rest up for a crowded schedule of International Cricket winding up with the Ashes at the end of the year.
The 30-year-old fast bowler was scheduled to play a second season for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
This time IPL will be played across six venues, initially without spectators, from April 9 to May 30.
Hazlewood’s international teammates, wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh have also pulled out of this year’s IPL. Both the players cited personal reasons for their decisions.
The Australian team is scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches in the West Indies in June and July before heading to Bangladesh in October for three warm-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.
Afghanistan will play a one-off test in Australia, postponed from last year, in November before the five-test Ashes series against England around the New Year.
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara started trending on social media and netizens were quick to say that India’s Test match batting mainstay was the reason behind Josh Hazelwood’s decision to withdraw from the T20 tournament.
Josh Hazelwood opted out of IPL 2021
Csk Management to Pujara : pic.twitter.com/GvOxGQCFzB
— ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@AshishSingh154) April 1, 2021
Pujara and Hazlewood were slated to share the dressing room for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but with the Aussie pacer pulling out, this would not be happening this season.
I’ve overheard that Josh Hazelwood made himself unavailable as he has to bowl to Pujara in Nets ???? #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/VddtuMYRxM
— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) April 1, 2021
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