Harbhajan Singh ends his association with Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2021 auction

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has ended his association with the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for the franchise in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before pulling out of the last IPL played in the UAE. It was a three-year contract between him and the franchise that has ended and it seems both the parties have decided to part ways.

CSK endured their worst season in IPL 2020 not making it to the playoffs for the first time ever in 11 years. They missed their veteran player Suresh Raina who had flown back home controversially from UAE a couple of weeks before the start of the tournament. The experience of Harbhajan Singh was also missed as the spinners were taken apart by the opposition teams.

Harbhajan himself took to Twitter to confirm the news that he will not be playing for CSK anymore and also thanked the fans and the franchise for all the support over the last three years.

“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,” his tweet 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 Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 20, 2021

Harbhajan Singh played 24 matches for CSK

CSK had secured Harbhajan Singh’s services in the 2018 auction for his base price of Rs 2 crore and the off-spinner went on to play 24 matches for them. He played a crucial role for the team in winning their third title. Though he picked only seven wickets in 11 matches in IPL 2018, his experience was valuable to the Yellow Army. Harbhajan bettered his performance in 2019 scalping 19 wickets in 11 matches and was economical as well.

Having released by CSK now, it remains to be seen now if Harbhajan Singh will put his name in the auction now for the upcoming season. The 40-year-old last played a competitive game in May 2019 and it will be interesting to see if any team bids for him in the auction.