Chennai
Super Kings’ (CSK) veteran spinner Harbhajan
Singh on Friday withdrew from the 2020 Indian Premier League
(IPL), citing ‘personal reasons’. 

The former Indian cricketer tweeted the news of his withdrawal from the Indian Premier League. Singh tweeted “Dear Friends, I will not be playing IPL this year due to personal reasons.”

The CSK player added, “These are difficult times and I would expect some privacy as I spend time with my family.”

The off-spinner added that the Chennai Super Kings management had been extremely supportive of his decision. Singh added, “I wish them(Chennai Super Kings) a great IPL.”

He became
the second player from the CSK camp to withdraw from the tournament, with
Suresh Raina also citing personal reasons to return to India last month.

Harbhajan did
not travel with the squad to the UAE and was instead expected to join up with
the CSK camp later. 

Having completed
the mandatory quarantine, and subsequent rounds of COVID-19 tests, CSK players,
with the exception of infected duo Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad, will
resume training sessions on Friday.

Also Read: Lasith Malinga withdraws from IPL, Mumbai Indians rope in James Pattinson 

“The
training starts from today. All others, apart from the 13, tested negative for
the third time. Those who tested positive will only be tested after the
isolation period (two weeks) is over,” CSK CEO KS Viswanathan told PTI.

CSK has had
to deal with a crisis situation in recent weeks, as 13 members of its camp,
including Chahar and Gaikwad tested positive for the coronavirus upon their
arrival in the UAE.

They will
be tested twice by the end of next week, upon completion of their 14-day isolation period. As per
protocol, they need to have two negative tests before being authorised to
return to the bio-bubble.

Also Read: Suresh Raina on IPL pullout: CSK is my family too, you might see me in the camp again

However, CSK’s
return to training will come as much-needed positive news for the IPL as it
means their marquee opening clash with Mumbai India remains “very much on”.

The IPL 2020 starts with last year’s finals clashing on September 19. The matches will be hosted in bio-secure bubbles in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.