CSK Might Need A Replacement Or Two: Aakash Chopra After Harbhajan Singh's Withdrawal

With Harbhajan Singh pulling out of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), former India opener Aakash Chopra believes it will be a big jolt for Chennai Super Kings. The former cricketer-turned-commentator also said that CSK might now need a couple of replacements after the veteran spinner became the second CSK player following Suresh Raina to pull out of the tournament.

Just like Raina, Harbhajan Singh also cited personal reasons to withdraw from the tournament. Speculations were rife over his participation in the tournament since he decided against taking part in the pre-season camp in Chennai last month and did not accompany the team to UAE.

Finally on Friday, he ended all the speculation by confirming his decision. The veteran spinner took to Twitter to confirm his decision and also appealed for privacy, saying he wants to spend time with his family during these ‘difficult times’.

Reacting to Harbhajan Singh’s decision, Chopra said that it is a big jolt for CSK. He also urged the fans and members of the cricket fraternity not to speculate after Harbhajan Singh called for privacy.

“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 wrote on Twitter.

Harbhajan’s decision to pull out of the #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L is a big bolt for #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K. 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, #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K might need a replacement or two now….

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) S<!---->e<!---->p<!---->t<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Missing Harbhajan Singh will definitely be a big blow for CSK especially on the spin-friendly pitches of UAE. The off-spinner is third in the list of most wickets in the history of IPL and did really well last year. He picked up 16 wickets and helped CSK to make it to the final where they lost to Mumbai Indians.

CSK still have a formidable spin department though. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner as well as Sai Kishore form the team’s spin attack. IPL 2020 is scheduled to start on September 19.

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