Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff will replace compatriot Josh Hazlewood in the Chennai Super Kings squad after the latter pulled out of the Indian Premier League, which begins in Chennai on Friday.

The development was confirmed by the IPL organisers in a statement.

Behrendorff, a left-arm pacer, has featured in 11 ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia so far. This is Behrendorff’s second IPL stint after having represented Mumbai Indians in 2019. He played five matches and picked up as many wickets at that time.

Hazlewood had earlier decided to withdraw from the league to take a small break from cricket and keep himself fresh for the Ashes and the T20 World Cup later this year.

The 30-year-old played three games for CSK in the last season of IPL when the tournament was staged in the UAE in late 2020.

CSK will open their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.