CSK's Matheesha Pathirana To Miss Start Of IPL 2024 - Reports

Jatin

Matheesha Pathirana was MS Dhoni's main weapon at the death during IPL 2023 (Twitter)Matheesha Pathirana was MS Dhoni's main weapon at the death during IPL 2023 (Twitter)

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There has been a massive development that has thrown a spanner in the works for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as their ace death bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, is set to miss the initial stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to a hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old Sri Lankan sensation, known for his lethal slinging action, encountered this setback during the second T20 International against Bangladesh in Sylhet earlier this month. The injury was severe enough to prevent him from completing his spell, sidelining him for the subsequent T20I against Bangladesh as well.

Hamstring injury sidelines CSK's death bowling specialist Matheesha Pathirana

Pathirana, who has been under the care of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) physio, is in the throes of rehabilitation. His return to the field is contingent upon receiving the green light from the SLC, leaving CSK to face the music without one of their key performers as they kick off their title defense.

The Matheesha Pathiran injury blow comes on the back of another setback for CSK, with New Zealand's opening batsman Devon Conway ruled out until May due to a thumb injury.

Pathirana's brilliance at the death overs had been a cornerstone of CSK's strategy; his impressive economy rate of 8.00 during the death overs (16-20) in IPL 2023 not only set him apart from his peers but also saw him leading the wickets tally in this phase with 18 dismissals in 12 innings.


With Pathirana's shoes to fill, CSK might turn to Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, another specialist in the art of death bowling.

Despite a recent scare involving cramps during the third ODI against Sri Lanka, which necessitated his removal from the field via stretcher, Mustafizur has bounced back and is all set to join the CSK squad in Chennai, making him a potential candidate for the opening match against RCB on March 22.

As the defending champions gear up for their IPL 2024 campaign with back-to-back home games against RCB and Gujarat Titans, on March 22 and March 26 respectively, the team's depth and strategy will be put to the test. 

With crucial players on the mend, Chennai Super Kings' ability to overcome these early hurdles could very well set the tone for their season.