Why Is Matheesha Pathirana Not In CSK's Playing XI For IPL 2025 Match vs KKR?

Pathirana is not in CSK playing XI [Source: AP]

In a significant development, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and opted to bowl first in their sixth group-stage match of the IPL 2025. At toss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane stated that his side would bowl first, considering the track wouldn't change much with time. 

Why Have CSK Excluded Matheesha Pathirana From Playing XI?

Meanwhile, CSK have made two notable changes, including Rahul Tripathi and Anshul Kamboj in their playing XI. While Rahul Tripathi replaces injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kamboj comes in place of Mukesh Choudhary, who was ineffective in two consecutive matches. 

Matheesha Pathirana's absence has raised question marks; however, with CSK bowling second, the Sri Lankan fast bowler will likely come in as the impact player later in the game. 

Having said that, Pathirana hasn't had a great journey in the IPL 2025 so far. The fast bowler has bagged only five wickets while conceding runs at a horrible economy of over nine. 

On the other hand, Mukesh Choudhary seems to have been dropped for his lean patch, with Anshul Kamboj replacing him in the team. 

CSK vs KKR Playing XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

Chennai Super Kings Playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj

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