Former Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh has come out put an emotional tweet after stint with the Chennai Super Kings franchise came reached his finale after his contract came to an end and it wasn’t renewed by the men in yellow. Harbhajan Singh who played two years for the Chennai outfit and won the IPL with them in 2018, also finished as a runner up in IPL 2019 which saw him lose the final to former team Mumbai Indians by one run. Harbhajan Singh had pulled out of IPL 2020 due to personal reasons just before the start of the tournament.
The story as it developed
Harbhajan Singh the former Indian off spin bowler who has always taken the world by storm with his talents and wicket taking capabilities has been an IPL regular since the time it came into existence in 2008. The 40 year old Punjabi off spinning legendary spinning began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2008 where he won three titles with the men in blue and gold in 2013, 2015 and 2017. He also captained them for a couple of seasons including a T-20 champions league win in 2011. Once his stint with the Mumbai outfit ended post the IPL win in 2017, he shifted to Chennai Super kings in 2018 where he again won the IPL title in 2018 possibly making him one of the rare breed of players to have won the IPL in consecutive years with two different sides. Harbhajan then finished on the runners up side during his last IPL season for Chennai in 2019 losing to Mumbai Indians in a painful game which saw CSK fall short by one run and possibly retain their title.
Harbhajan Singh posts an emotional tweet announcing his departure from CSK
The former Indian spinner earlier today put out an emotional tweet which announced his exit from the Yellow Army which read “As my contract comes to an end with@ChennaiIPL, playing for this team was a great experience..beautiful memories made &some great friends which I will remember fondly for years to come..Thank you @ChennaiIPL, management, staff and fans for a wonderful 2years.. All the best”
Harbhajan’s IPL future uncertain
Post his exit from Chennai Super Kings the former Indian legendary spinner faces an uncertain future with the auctions looming. If picked this could very well be the last IPL season for the Turbanator who could then transition into the role of a mentor in the seasons to come, as at forty years old his best days are certainly behind him as far his playing days are concerned. Harbhajan who played 23 games during his time at Chennai picked 24 wickets and was instrumental in their title win in 2018 post their comeback to the IPL after serving a two year suspension.
One huge name retained and few others expected to be released
According to sources close to the Chennai Super kings camp, huge names like Murali Vijay, Piyush Chawla and possibly few more players could be let go by the CSK management. One news which will come as a relief to the CSK fans is the retention of Suresh Raina who was facing uncertainty about his IPL future after missing the tournament last year and there were reports of him being on the chopping block as per sources close to CSK was quoted saying “Yes, we will retain Raina and Dhoni will be the captain. Apart from Harbhajan Singh, we might release a few more players”
You can check out the emotional tweet by Harbhajan Singh confirming his exit from Chennai Super Kings embedded below
As my contract comes to an end with @ChennaiIPL, playing for this team was a great experience..beautiful memories made &some great friends which I will remember fondly for years to come..Thank you @ChennaiIPL, management, staff and fans for a wonderful 2years.. All the best..🙏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 20, 2021