Harbhajan pulls out of IPL
Even as the buzz and speculation around the surprise exit of Suresh Raina refuse to die down, the Indian Premier League has witnessed another high-profile pullout. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has decided to not join the Chennai Super Kings camp in Dubai, a team source confirmed on Thursday.
Harbhajan, who had earlier skipped the team’s pre-departure camp in Chennai, is reportedly worried about his mother, who is not keeping well. Harbhajan was expected to reach the UAE this weekend.
“He made it clear that he is not in the right frame of mind and won’t be able to give his best even if he drags himself to the UAE to play. He has always given his best, so there is no question about his committment. We have to respect his decision,” said a team source.
A crucial meeting will be take place on Friday with the team management will decide if the team needs a replacement for Raina and Harbhajan. “Captain M.S. Dhoni and coaches Stephen Fleming and Michael Hussey will take the call,” the source said.
RAINA RETURN HIGHLY UNLIKELY
Going by his recent interviews, Raina has shown interest in going back to the IPL bubble. But it is “highly unlikely” that Raina will be allowed to return. “The team has moved on,” the source said.
CSK TO TRAIN FROM TODAY
The Super Kings squad, except the 13 Coronavirus- i nfected members, underwent another round of tests on Thursday. The results will be out on Friday morning and if they return negative, the players will begin training.
BCCI MEDICAL TEAM MEMBER TESTS POSITIVE
Meanwhile, a member of the BCCI medical team tested positive in the UAE.
“It is true, but there is no issue as he (senior medical officer) is asymptomatic and has been kept in isolation. He has not been in contact with anyone and possibly contracted it during his travel to the UAE. He is being monitored and should hopefully be fine in the next round of testing. We also have two people at the NCA who have tested positive and have been kept in isolation,” a new agency has quoted a source.