Even before the IPL season began, CSK faced a significant setback.
CSK’s squad adds injury list.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) death over specialist Matheesha Pathirana will not take part in the opening matches of the IPL. He has suffered a hamstring problem. The 21-year-old suffered the injury during the T20 series played between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka earlier this month.
He suffered this injury during the second T20 and due to this he could not take part in the third match. Since then, he has been rehabilitating with the Sri Lankan team’s physio. ESPNcricinfo understands that he will be able to participate in the IPL only after being declared fit by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Apart from Pathirana, Devon Conway has also been ruled out of the IPL till May after suffering a thumb injury. Pathirana bowled in the death overs (between 16 and 20 overs) in IPL 2023 with an economy of just 8. Pathirana’s economy was the best in the list of bowlers who bowled at least 90 balls that season. Apart from this, he was also the highest wicket-taker during the death overs. During that time he took 18 wickets in 12 innings.
Even before the IPL season began, CSK faced a significant setback.
In the absence of Pathirana, Chennai’s team can give Mustafizur Rahman a chance. He also bowls well during the death overs. However, one thing is also that during the third match of the ODI series played between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, he had a problem with cramps and was taken out of the field through a stretcher. However, now he is completely fit. However, if the pitch of the first match played in Chepauk has more help for the spinners, then Chennai can also use the option of Moin Ali. At present, it is almost certain that Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Maheesh Theekshana will be foreign players in Chennai’s team.
Chennai bowling coach Dwayne Bravo recently described death over bowling as very important. In Pathirana’s absence, Shardul Thakur can also be bowled in the death overs.
Bravo said during an event in Chennai last week, “Death bowling is my specialty. I believe that death overs are a very important part of the game in T20. It requires a lot of skill, bravery, and planning. We had the best death-bowling team last year, and we are looking forward to repeating that performance. Shardul [Thakur] is also back in the team, which gives our bowling more depth. “
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