Harbhajan Opts Out of IPL

Harbhajan Singh had apparently informed Chennai Super Kings of his decision to pull out from IPL 2020 attributable to individual reasons fourteen days back but CSK had asked him to take some additional time and think over his decision.

Harbhajan had likewise avoided the six-day training camp in Chennai which was held from August 15 to 21 at the MA Chidambaram stadium and has now decided to pull out of the 8-team competition which will start from September 19 in the UAE.

Bhajji had disclosed in June that he would take an interest in the IPL in particular if the authority guaranteed the security of everybody related with the tournament.

Harbhajan had said "I really want the IPL to happen but only when things are safe not just for me but for everybody associated with the tournament. There are about 200-300 people on the ground whenever a match is played and we need to take care of the safety of everybody present".

CSK are reeling under tension after 13 players from the franchise, including quick bowler Deepak Chahar and batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad tested positive for Covid 19 a week ago. The entire crew and all the team officials and authorities in the UAE were then made to self-isolate themselves for an extra 7 days.

The three-time champions are probably going to hit the nets from Friday, subject to depend on the second round of testing. They are the only group who have not started preparing outside after the virus hit their camp.

IPL 2020 will be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from September 19 to November 10. The 53-day 8-group competition was initially planned to start from March 29. Due to pandemic the sporting event has been delayed by 5 months.

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