Harbhajan Singh becomes second CSK player, after Raina, to pull out of IPL 2020

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Harbhajan Singh
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Harbhajan Singh

In a second major jolt to the Chennai Super Kings, Harbhajan Singh has withdrawn from the 2020 Indian Premier League. 

Harbhajan has cited “personal reasons” for his decision. 

He is the second player from CSK to withdraw from this year’s edition of the IPL, which is being held in the UAE due to the coronavirus pandemic, after Suresh Raina. 

Raina had travelled with the CSK team to the UAE before deciding to withdraw and return to India. Harbhajan, on the other hand, had remained in India. He had also not participated in the CSK camp held in India prior to their departure for the UAE. 

"I will not be playing IPL this year due to personal reasons.These are difficult times and I would expect some privacy as I spend time with my family. CSK management has been extremely supportive and I wish them a great IPL," Harbhajan tweeted.

Last week 13 members of the CSK squad in the UAE had tested positive for COVID-19 – thus extending the team’s quarantine period and making them the only team to start practice sessions.  

However, apart from the two positive players – Deepak Chahar and Rituraj Gaikwad – the rest of the CSK team is set to begin practice after three negative COVID-19 tests. 

IPL 2020 is scheduled to be held in UAE between September 19 and November 10.