Got information that CSK are considering off-spinners as Harbhajan Singh replacement, reveals Irfan Pathan

After Suresh Raina left the bubble and returned back to India following a cluster of Covid-positive cases in the CSK camp, Harbhajan Singh became the second CSK player to announce his non-participation in this season’s IPL, citing personal reasons. In the last two editions of the tournament, Harbhajan provided an uncanny control with the new ball which helped Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir massively on the slow and low turners of Chennai. 

Now that Harbhajan is set to miss, the tension must have grown in the MS Dhoni-led camp but the franchise is yet to announce an official replacement for either of the players. Player-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan, who had represented the franchise in the past, revealed that CSK are considering three-four off-spinning options as a possible replacement.

“Getting a replacement for Harbhajan Singh will be very difficult. It will be very difficult to find a quality off-spinner like him in domestic cricket. They are trying as well. I have got some information as well that the CSK team and management are considering the names of 3-4 off-spinners but the void created by Harbhajan Singh’s absence is very difficult to be filled,” Pathan told Star Sports. 

“Because there are a lot of left-handers against whom he used to play and bowl brilliantly. He even used to bowl with the new ball which used to impact the team’s performance a lot.”

Even though Suresh Raina left the bubble due to safety concerns, he kept his options open and after returning back to India, he, in an interview with multiple publications, revealed that he might return back to the CSK camp once again. Irfan believes that it would be great if Raina plays for CSK.

“I have hope and I personally also want that Suresh Raina comes back, there is a chance for that. Because whatever issue Raina has, if that gets sorted out he can come back but it will be a very big loss for CSK when Harbhajan Singh does not play for them,” the pacer added.