Pacer Josh Hazlewood opts out of upcoming season of Indian Premier League

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has opted out of the upcoming Indian Premier League due to personal reasons. Pacer has clearly stated that he wants get in best physical shape for coming international cricket season this year. Since August 2020, Josh Hazlewood has been a part of many bio-secure bubbles.

Last year, Josh Hazlewood made limited appearances for Chennai Super Kings. He clearly that living in bio-secure bubble is mentally quite challenging so that’s why he decided not to participate in this year’s Indian Premier League. He also stated that he wanted spend time with his family for the next two months and take a break from cricket.

For this year’s T20 World Cup, Josh Hazlewood will be looking to make an impact for Australia. He has played 40 T20I matches in his career, in which he has claimed 44 wickets at an average of 25.80 with an economy rate of 7.50. For Australia, he has played only nine matches and taken nine wickets at an average of 36.77 with an economy rate of 9.19.

With T20 World Cup coming up and England touring for Australia at the end of the year, Hazlewood has decided to prepare himself for a grueling cricketing season. He said that he wants to be best mental space to deliver his best for Australia in the Ashes as well as T20 World Cup.

There is no surprise in his decision as new-ball partner Mitchell Starc has skipped previous editions of the Indian Premier League due to his international commitments with Australian cricket team. Left-arm quick Jason Behrendroff has been named as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood by Chennai Super Kings for this year’s competition.

Earlier this month, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicket-keeper batsman Josh Philippe opted out of the Indian Premier League due to personal reasons. Notable Australian players like Steven Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson are taking part in the ongoing Indian Premier League being played in India.