Harbhajan Singh’s decision to withdraw from IPL 2020 due to personal reasons has opened a debate as to who should replace the veteran in the Chennai Super Kings team. While CSK has already shown its reluctance to name a replacement for Suresh Raina, who had also decided to lose this IPL, the case could be a bit different when it comes to Harbhajan.
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Former batsman for India’s wicket-keeper, Deep Dasgupta, believes CSK should opt for the all-rounder Jalaj Saxena as a replacement for Harbhajan. “I think Jalaj Saxena deserves a spot, it’s a pretty good off-roader. I think they could look at him, he’s a very good choice for Bhajji’s replacement, ”Deep Dasgupta told ESPNCricinfo.
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Jalaj Saxena is one of the veterans of Indian domestic cricket and has a proven track record as an all-rounder in all three formats of the game. In 54 T20 matches, Saxena has taken 49 wickets at an economy rate of 6.92. The off-spinner, who also hits at the top of the order, has 633 runs to his name at T20.
Saxena was part of the Delhi Capitals team at the last IPL, but was released earlier this season. The fact that CSK has no other option on their team other than Kedar Jadhav may pave the way for the off-roader.
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“He’s someone who has a lot of experience not only in red ball cricket, but also in white ball cricket, he’s been around for a while,” Dasgupta said.
Speaking about Harbhajan’s absence from the CSK squad, Dasgupta said the MS Dhoni-led team will definitely miss the veteran’s off-track experience.
“Yeah, it wasn’t a regularity, he didn’t play every game last season, but having said that, when you have someone as experienced as Harbhajan and we’re talking about those 50 games being played at just 3 venues,” Dasgupta said.
“In the second half of the tournament, those pitches will get tired, there will be crockery and tare, so it will definitely help the spinners. From the experience side, yes (you will be missed) and of course it was just out of line. He didn’t play much after last season, but with someone from that experience you have to support him and that’s what CSK has done. So they will miss him, maybe not much, but a little bit. “
Harbhajan, the third tallest wicket bearer in IPL history with 150 scalps, was cordoned off by CSK ahead of IPL 2018 for his base price of Rs 2 crore. Despite his absence, CSK has three front-line players: leg thrower Imran Tahir, left keeper Mitchell Santner and seasoned leg break bowler Piyush Chawla.
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