IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Replace Josh Hazlewood In Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Australian cricketer Josh Hazlewood has decided to opt-out of IPL 2021 citing bubble fatigue issues and international schedule post the IPL. Hazlewood is part of the Chennai Super Kings in the tournament. The Australia pacer cited that he wants to be mentally and physically ready for Australia’s upcoming tournaments against West Indies, Bangladesh, ICC T20 World Cup, and The Ashes.

In response, Chennai Super Kings responded that the franchisee will take a decision for his replacement in the coming days. Last season in IPL 2020, left-arm pacer Hazlewood played 3 matches for Chennai Super Kings where he remained wicket-less. As Josh Hazlewood exits from IPL 2021, here we look at 5 players who can replace Josh Hazlewood in Chennai Super Kings.

IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Replace Josh Hazlewood In Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Tim Southee

Tim Southee is a good option to replace Josh Hazlewood as he has earlier played for Chennai Super Kings. The New Zealand pacer went unsold in IPL 2021 auction at his base price of Rs. 75 lakh. He has played in 7 IPL tournaments since IPL 2011, in which he has scalped 28 wickets in 40 matches. In IPL 2011, Southee played for Chennai Super Kings. He was part of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014 and IPL 2015. Later, he moved to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2016 and IPL 2017. Royal Challengers signed him in IPL 2018 and IPL 2019.

Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan is a left-arm medium-pace bowler from New Zealand. He was part of IPL 2021 auction at Rs. 50 lakh base price but no franchisee showed interest in buying him. McClenaghan has played in IPL from IPL 2015 to IPL 2019, where he represented Mumbai Indians. So far, he has played 56 matches and taken 71 wickets. With such great bowling stats in IPL, he is obviously a good bowler to replace Josh Hazlewood.

Oshane Thomas

Oshane Thomas was part of the IPL 2021 auction but went unsold. The West Indies pacer had a base price of Rs. 50 lakh. Thomas is a tall bowler who has the ability to trouble batsmen with his pace. He is another good option to replace Josh Hazlewood. He played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2019 and took 5 wickets in 4 matches.

Jason Behrendorff

Jason Behrendorff is another pacer who went unsold in IPL 2021 auction. Like Josh Hazlewood, Behrendorff is also a left-arm pacer. In IPL 2019, he played for Mumbai Indians and took 5 wickets in 5 matches. Jason Behrendorff is another bowler that Chennai Super Kings might look upon to replace Josh Hazlewood.

Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell is another bowler Chennai Super Kings look upon to replace Josh Hazlewood. Sheldon Cottrell was released by Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2021 auction. He played 6 matches for Punjab Kings in IPL 2020 and took 6 wickets. Although he has less experience in IPL, he has been great at the international level. He had a base price of Rs. 1 crore in the IPL 2021 auction but went unsold.