The veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh announced his decision of not playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE on Twitter. He stated 'personal reasons' for his unavailability for the entire season. Post the announcement, speculations began that Singh had pulled out of the IPL due to the emergence of 13 COVID-19 cases in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp.

However, a friend of his has recently revealed to PTI that the decision had nothing to do with the COVID-19 cases in the CSK camp. He also stated that money didn't matter to Harbhajan as he was more concerned about his family's safety.

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The friend said, "It wasn’t about the Covid cases in the Chennai camp. But if you have a wife and toddler staying in India for three months, your mind will be diverted and you can’t fully focus on the game. Then it doesn’t matter whether you get two crore or 20 crore. Money is last on your mind."

Harbhajan had tweeted, "Dear Friends I will not be playing IPL this year due to personal reasons.These are difficult times and I would expect some privacy as I spend time with my family. ChennaiIPL  CSK management has been extremely supportive and I wish them a great IPL Stay safe and Jai Hind"

Dear Friends
I will not be playing IPL this year due to personal reasons.These are difficult times and I would expect some privacy as I spend time with my family. @ChennaiIPL CSK management has been extremely supportive and I wish them a great IPL
Stay safe and Jai Hind

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 4, 2020

The CSK management have also declared via Twitter that they are supportive of his decision and they stood by him.

Harbhajan Singh informed us he won’t be available due to personal reasons. Team Chennai Super Kings is supportive of his decision and stands by him and his family during these testing times.

KS Viswanathan
CEO

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 4, 2020

(With inputs from PTI)