CSK will start their IPL 2020 campaign against Mumbai Indians on September 19.
13 members of the CSK squad, including two cricketers, were tested positive for COVID-19, which led to the team starting their practice session one week late as they had to undergo prolonged quarantine.
As if this wasn’t enough, Super Kings’ star batsman Suresh Raina and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh pulled out of the competition citing “personal reasons”.
After a series of setbacks, it will be interesting to see CSK’s team composition as they are gearing up to face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the tournament opener in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
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Ahead of the game, however, Harbhajan said Chennai will not be bothered by his or Raina's absence as they have got a wealth of experience in the form of Shane Watson, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja.
"Well, I am gonna miss IPL for sure. I have been part of IPL from year 1 and it has been an incredible journey for me. The circumstances were different this year so I have taken a seat back. I thought it's important for me to be with the family and spend some time with them rather than being there in the park. I am gonna miss playing but at the same time wishing my team CSK all the very best for the tournament and I am sure they will do what they are known for," Harbhajan told India Today in an exclusive interview.
"I think anyone can win. This tournament is such and T20 is a format where you got to play the best cricket in your ability everyday. CSK is one of those sides which has a lot of experience. Yes, they don't have Harbhajan Singh, they don't have Suresh Raina, that's not gonna bother them too much. They have got a wealth of experience of Shane Watson, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja. Yes, I am gonna miss playing with CSK this year. I don't know how much they will miss me. They will still go forward without me or Suresh or no matter whoever," he added.
The 13th edition of IPL runs till November 10. The sixty-game event will be held across three venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.