|| India Correspondent ||
Just before the start of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings have received a massive blow as the in-form bowler Josh Hazlewood has pulled out of the tournament. However, the Australian bowler has decided to keep himself fresh for the upcoming Ashes series and then the T20 World Cup later this year which will take place in India, and also wanted to spend time with his family as well.
"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 and in Australia in the next two months," Hazlewood told cricket.com.au. "We've got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown on the end of that."
"Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that. That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me," Hazlewood further added.
Notably, Hazlewood is the third Aussie after Josh Philippe and Mitchell Marsh to opt-out of the cash-rich league. Also, this might be a chance for him to get back in rhythm for the domestic competitions as well.
"I haven’t been bowling a great deal with plans to play T20 cricket until after this game and also the weather wrecked my chances – I probably missed five sessions outdoors,” Hazlewood said. "The workloads are a bit too low … to play (both) Wollongong and the Shield final if we make it – hopefully I can use the next two weeks to build up and if we’re in the Shield final I can play that."