IPL 2020 | Got information that CSK are shortlisting three off-spinners, reveals Irfan Pathan

Even before the tournament’s start, CSK were dealt with two pieces of bad news surrounding Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh. While Suresh Raina was the first to leave the Middle East from the setup, owing to personal reasons, Harbhajan stayed back in India owing to similar reasons. 

However, Raina in an interview earlier, admitted that he might come back to the setup if everything settles down, the off-spinner has effectively ruled himself out of the entire edition. While former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has opined that CSK could try out Jalaj Saxena, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan revealed that CSK are currently trialling out three off-spinners to replace the veteran spinner. 

“But 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 said, reported Hindustan Times. 

Raina’s return, however, has not yet been confirmed by the franchise, who are yet to seek a replacement for the southpaw. As it looks, the all-rounder and CSK’s mainstay batsman might return to the setup once things get clear for him from a personal point of view. 

“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 35-year-old said.