IPL 2020: If Chennai’s on-field troubles were not enough, they seem to be caught in a tussle off the field as well. The franchise is likely to terminate the contracts of two of its senior-most players – Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina – both not taking part in this year’s IPL. According to reports, the IPL franchise has not just removed the names of Raina and Harbhajan from its official website but, as per the norm, has also initiated the process of terminating all contractual relationships with both the players. 

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As per the IPL Auction guidelines in 2018, both Harbhajan and Raina had signed a 3-year deal with the CSK which was expiring with the 2020 season. While Harbhajan decided not to travel with the team, Raina decided to return home days before the tournament started, citing personal reasons.  

Raina has been with the franchise since the inception of Indian Premier League in 2008 (apart from two seasons where CSK was banned). He is the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League and at one point, held the record of most matches for Chennai, even more than MS Dhoni.  

Raina had signed Rs 11 Crore a year deal with CSK while the former Indian spinner Harbhajan had inked a Rs 2 Crore annual contract with the team. According to the information, henceforth no salary will be paid to the players for the season. 

The termination of the contracts clearly means Raina or Harbhajan are no more CSK’s players. The decision leaves both the players in a tricky spot with BCCI unlikely to hold an auction for the coming season.  

On field, Chennai is having a slow start to the tournament, losing two of their three games so far. They are currently at the bottom of the table.