Matheesha Pathirana, who was the most-successful bowler in the death overs in the IPL 2023, is set to miss the initial few games for defending champions Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2024 edition.
Pathirana is suffering from a hamstring injury which he sustained during the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka second and penultimate T20I, in Sylhet, earlier this month. He was not able to bowl his full quota of overs. Pathirana’s absence is a huge blow to MS Dhoni-starrer CSK as he was one of their go-to-bowlers in the death overs.
As per ESPNCricinfo, the Sri Lankan pacer will join CSK’s squad once he gets clearance from Sr Lanka Cricket (SLC). Pathirana has been out of action ever since. He didn’t take part in the third and final T20I as well and will now aim for a quick recovery to join the Chennai setup. He was a crucial part of Dhoni-led CSK’s title-win in IPL 2023.
Pathirana’s economy rate of 8.00 in the death overs (16-20th) was the best among bowlers who bowled at least 90 balls during this phase in the last season. In addition, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker during the death overs, claiming 18 wickets in 12 innings. Thus, the five-time winners will certainly hope for his quick return.
IPL 2024: Good news for CSK! Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman departs for Chennai after injury scare
CSK are already without Devon Conway — who is out of action with a thumb injury — whereas Mustafizur Rahman also suffered from severe cramps during the home ODIs versus SL. However, he joined the CSK squad on Wednesday (March 20) and will most likely replace Pathirana till his return.
CSK squad for IPL 2024
MS Dhoni (wk), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway (wk), Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly