The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have roped in Australia pacer Jason Behrendorff as the replacement for Josh Hazlewood ahead of the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League.
IPL’s Twitter handle on Friday released an official statement confirming the news.
“Chennai Super Kings sign Jason Behrendorff as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood,” IPL tweeted.
Behrendorff has played 11 ODIs and seven T20 Internationals in his cricketing career so far.
Though the left-arm pacer hasn’t seen in the national jersey for the last couple of years, he has done well in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Playing for the Perth Scorchers in the 10th edition of BBL, Behrendorff picked up 16 wickets from 16 games at an economy rate of 7.04.
The 30-year-old also has the experience of playing in the cash-rich league as he represented Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2019 where he scalped five wickets from as many games.
Earlier, Hazlewood had pulled of the forthcoming tournament due to bio-bubble fatigue.
The 30-year-old was a part of bio-secure environment for the last 10 months and so he decided to take some rest from the game and spend quality time with his family.
“It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home. We’ve got a big winter ahead too,” Josh told cricket.com.au.
Notably, MS Dhoni-led CSK will begin its campaign against Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals on April 10 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.