IPL 2021: CSK declares, 'Hazlewood's replacement not a priority',

IPL 2021 – CSK MS Dhoni’s Deputy? Chennai Super Kings is unlikely to announce the replacement of Josh Hazlewood any time soon as it has emerged as a “non-priority” issue to be dealt with by the team management at a “later stage” in the IPL 2021 tournament. Not only this but CSK also informed InsideSport.co that for the first few matches, they are unlikely to appoint anyone as a vice-captain of the team. CSK plays DC in their opening match on 10th April in Mumbai.

“We are not attaching too much importance to Hazlewood’s replacement. It has not been decided as it’s not a priority issue for us. We already have a very good team. Yes, the issue will be dealt with by the team management but at a later stage in the tournament.” CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanathan told Insidesport.co in an exclusive interview on Monday.

As informed by InsideSport on Sunday, CSK reached out to various players in order to fill Hazlewood’s spot but most of them were reluctant to join the team due to Covid-19 situation in Mumbai.

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IPL 2021 – CSK MS Dhoni’s Deputy? CSK not to have vice-captain for the first half of the season

Not only Hazlewood’s replacement – but CSK has decided that no vice-captain officially will be named for the first few matches of the season. CSK was suppose to make uncomfortable choice between Suresh Raina & Ravindra Jadeja as MS Dhoni’s deputy. But for now they have postponed the decision on vice-captaincy.

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“The vice captainship is also not an emergent issue at the moment for us. We leave it to the team management. They will decide at some stage”, confirmed CSK CEO.

When asked about the Covid-19 situation in Mumbai and how CSK is countering that? This is what CEO of CSK had to say.

“Now the priority for us is to put together a solid team with whatever we have at the moment. These are unusual times but the team spirit is high and the team is looking forward to a turn around from last year’s performance. Those who have joined the camp are doing fine. All players have tested negative and we are following stringent Covid guidelines of BCCI. We are not losing our sleep in playing in Mumbai. The boys are safe and in a bio bubble. We are taking care of them. No need to worry. We will abide by whatever decision BCCI takes regarding venue timing precautions etc. We have concerns like everyone else but we have not spoken to them or written any letter to BCCI regarding any concern as we are sure they will take the best decision for all franchisees,” the CSK CEO observed.

IPL 2021: CSK is currently based in Mumbai and will play their first 5 matches in the city.

IPL Titles: 3
Runners-up: 5
Total Matches: 179, Won: 106, Lost:71, NR: 1, Tie: 1

Chennai Super Kings CSK Squad: MS Dhoni (C), Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ambati Rayudu, Imran Tahir, Josh Hazlewood, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Lungi Ngidi, Dwayne Bravo, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, K Gowtam, Sam Curran, Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Santner, Jagadeesan N, KM Asif, R Sai Kishore, C Hari Nishaanth, M Harisankar Reddy, K Bhagath Verma

Here’s the full list of fixtures, venues and match timings for the M.S. Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

1. 10-04 – CSK v Delhi Capitals, Mumbai, 7.30pm

2. 16-04 – Punjab Kings v CSK, Mumbai, 7.30pm

3. 19-04 – CSK vs Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai, 7.30pm

4. 21-04 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs CSK, Mumbai, 7.30pm

5. 25-04 – CSK vs Royal Challengers, Mumbai, 3.30pm

6. 28-04 – CSK vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi, 7.30pm

7. 01-05 – Mumbai Indians vs CSK, Delhi, 7.30pm

8. 05-05 – Rajasthan Royals vs CSK, Delhi, 7.30pm

9. 07-05 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs CSK, Delhi, 7.30pm

10. 09-05 – CSK vs Punjab Kings, Bangalore, 3.30pm

11. 12-05 – CSK vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Bangalore, 7.30pm