Harbhajan to play for CSK, will withdraw from The Hundred draft

Harbhajan Singh has cleared the air by saying he will play for Chennai Super Kings in the next IPL season and will withdraw from The Hundred's player draft.

There was some flutter as Harbhajan Singh’s name was included in Players’ Draft at a base price of GBP 100,000, but being an active cricketer, the BCCI rules would not have allowed him to play without formal announcement of retirement.

Veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on Friday that he will participate in the next edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and will withdraw his name from the Players’ Draft of the new The Hundred league in the United Kingdom.

There was some flutter as Harbhajan’s name was included in Players’ Draft at a base price of GBP 100,000 for this ambitious project but being an active cricketer, the BCCI rules would not have allowed him to play without formal announcement of retirement.

The Hundred: All you need to know

“For me, Indian Premier League and Chennai Super Kings remain priorities. I have had two good seasons with CSK where we played two finals. So right now, a good third season is what I am looking at,” Harbhajan told PTI .

India’s third highest wicket-taker in Tests added: “I respect rules laid down by my parent body. I will never flout any BCCI rule. If that means withdrawing my name from the draft, so be it. I will withdraw my name.”

However, he admitted that the concept of 100-ball format does excite him. “I dont want to break any rules but I find the concept interesting. As and when, the rules allow me to play, I would definitely like to be a part of it,” the ‘Turbanator’ said.

Harbhajan is currently doing commentary for the India versus South Africa series. He is expected to get back to training after the series as he is set to play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (National T20) for Punjab to gain some match practice.