Matheesha Pathirana’s Absence Affects CSK’s Initial IPL 2024 Stages
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face challenges in the initial stages of IPL 2024 as their designated death bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, is set to miss games due to a hamstring injury.
After receiving clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, he will join CSK; in contrast, Shivam Dube has joined the team following his rehabilitation at NCA.
Due to a hamstring injury, Matheesha Pathirana, the designated death bowler for the Chennai Super Kings, will miss the first few matches of the 2024 IPL. The injury occurred during the second Twenty20 International between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Sylhet earlier this month, preventing the 21-year-old slinger from completing his spell.
According to information obtained by ESPNcricinfo, Pathirana is probably going to be out for at least two weeks and won’t be allowed to play in the IPL unless the medical staff at SLC gives him the all-clear. He is currently receiving rehabilitation at the Colombo high performance center.
SLC wants to handle Pathirana carefully because the T20 World Cup is scheduled to start in the USA and the Caribbean on June 1, just a few days after the IPL concludes. With left-armer Dilshan Madushanka, who was scheduled to make his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians, ruled out of the whole IPL season, Pathirana is the second fast bowler from Sri Lanka to be sidelined.
With New Zealand opener Devon Conway out until May due to a thumb injury, CSK is already severely harmed by Pathirana’s injury. Pathirana had the best economy rate among bowlers who have bowled at least 90 balls at this phase of the IPL 2023, with an 8.00 rate at the death (between overs 16 and 20). With 18 strikes in 12 innings, he also became the phase’s top wicket-taker.
Pathirana’s absence might allow Mustafizur Rahman, a left-arm seamer from Bangladesh who also plays at the death, to take over. On March 18, Mustafizur had to be helped off the field by a stretcher due to cramping he had sustained during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Chattogram. He is available for the March 22 IPL 2024 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, having since recovered to join CSK in Chennai.
Also Read: CSK Wins 2023 IPL Final to Crown Joint 5 Times Champions
Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Maheesh Theekshana, and Moeen Ali might all be included in CSK’s lineup before Mustafizur if the Chepauk pitch proves to be a turner.
Prior to the tournament, CSK’s bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, emphasized the value of death bowling. They have Shardul Thakur, who has rejoined CSK after two seasons, as a substitute for Pathirana.
“My specialty is death bowling. “I think that the death overs in Twenty20 cricket is a really important part of the game,” Bravo had stated last week at an event in Chennai. “From practice preparation to the games, match awareness, and scenarios, it takes a lot of skill, daring, and forethought.
“You have to put it into action, persuade these folks to value philosophy, and help them strive for it. We are eager to top our excellent death-bowling squad from the previous year. Additionally, Shardul [Thakur] is returned, adding to the depth. Depth in the squad is usually a positive thing.”
Shivam Dube, the designated spin batter for CSK, has also joined his IPL team after recovering from an injury that kept him out of the Ranji Trophy knockout stages. He received his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
The reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings, will play their opening IPL 2024 matches at home against Royal Challengers on March 22 and Gujarat Titans on March 26.
