Reigning champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) received a big blow as pacer Matheesha Pathirana on Sunday returned to Sri Lanka to recover from a hamstring injury. The Sri Lankan speedster had picked up 13 wickets from six matches in IPL 2024, at an economy rate of 7.68. The 21 year-old last played for CSK against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai on 28 April, where he finished with figures of 2/17.
Pathirana missed the match against Punjab Kings at Chennai on 1 May with England pacer Richard Gleeson replacing him.
The unavailability of Pathirana is a big setback to CSK as their bowling stocks have dwindled drastically in the last few days. Pace bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar too is set to miss the remainder of the IPL with a niggle he sustained during the match against Punjab at Chepauk.
Chahar walked off the field after bowling just two balls and Shardul Thakur had completed the over for him.
“Deepak Chahar doesn’t look good. The initial feeling wasn’t great. So, I’m hoping for a more positive report when the physio and the doctor have a look,” CSK coach Stephen Fleming had said after that match.
CSK will also be without Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana at least for a couple of more matches as he is expected to fly back to Sri Lanka to complete his USA visa process ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup in the Americas.
Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL stint too came to an end in the previous match against PBKS after he has joined the national team for the home T20I series against Zimbabwe.