Billy Stanlake and Reece Topley reject CSK's offer to become Josh Hazlewood's replacement

Josh Hazlewood's sudden departure from the Indian Premier League 2021 has created a challenging scenario for Chennai Super Kings. The Australian pacer decided to withdraw from the league following the bubble fatigue and now this has created troubles for the Yellow Army since they haven't found his replacement until now. 

According to the reports, CSK had approached the Australian pacer Billy Stanlake and the left arm English bowler Reece Topley as the replacement option. However, they both have rejected the offer considering the rising number of covid 19 cases in India. Their point of view seems to be correct as per many fans because players such as Akshar Patel from Delhi Capitals and Devdutt Padikkal from Royal Challengers Banglore and some of the ground staff from Wankhede Stadium have already tested positive for the same.

A source close to the development regarding this matter stated to the Times of India that, "Many of them have contracts with English county teams and the permissions aren't forthcoming due to the rising number of Covid cases. We may have to go for a wildcard and may get one soon enough. But the problems do persist".

The things haven't been going in CSK's favor so far after having a forgettable last season. With only a week left for the opening match of IPL 2021, CSK might have to speed up its process of finding the replacement. The side has the option to select Hardus Viljoen as the replacement since he has been there with the side for the last few days as the net bowler and is a part of the franchise's bio-secure bubble.

It would be exciting to see which player CSK brings in as the side would be willing to have a great season this year following Suresh Raina's reentry into the squad.