As the excitement builds for the commencement of the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt a significant blow with the news of another injury setback to one of their key players. MS Dhoni’s side was already dealing with multiple injuries, but the latest injury scare has worried the whole CSK camp.
With just days remaining before their opening clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru, CSK grapples with the challenge of filling the void left by the absence of three injured players.
IPL 2024: CSK’s Matheesha Pathirana Injured Ahead of RCB Opener
Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, instrumental in CSK’s triumphant title run in 2023, is the latest casualty on the injury list. Pathirana sustained a hamstring injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh, forcing him to leave the field prematurely during the second series match on March 6 at Sylhet.
Three key @ChennaiIPL players injured ahead of the #IPL2024 Opener against @RCBTweets.
– Matheesha Pathirana – Injured
– Devon Conway – Injured
– Mustafizur Rehman – Injured#TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema #IPLonStar #IPL2024Schedule pic.twitter.com/Lop8fz8TVq— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) March 18, 2024
According to reports in the Times of India, Pathirana is expected to be sidelined for at least four to five weeks, ruling him out for the entirety of the IPL’s first leg.
A senior CSK official expressed concerns about Pathirana’s absence, acknowledging his pivotal role as one of the team’s premier bowlers. Pathirana’s unique bowling style, reminiscent of legendary cricketer Lasith Malinga, proved a formidable asset for CSK, especially in high-pressure situations. Despite his unconventional action, Pathirana’s ability to unsettle batsmen with his variations and consistency earned him accolades from captain MS Dhoni.
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Mustafizur Rahman, Devon Conway In CSK’s Injury List
With Pathirana sidelined, CSK will heavily rely on Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman to step up and fill the void. Rahman’s mastery of cutters is expected to be crucial, particularly on the sluggish tracks of Chepauk, where CSK plays their home matches.
In addition to Pathirana, CSK opener Devon Conway also finds himself sidelined due to injury. Conway, who sustained a finger injury during a T20I game for New Zealand against Australia, is anticipated to miss a significant portion of the IPL 2024 tournament.
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As CSK navigates through the challenges posed by the absence of key players, the team management remains optimistic about overcoming these setbacks and putting forth a formidable performance in their quest for IPL glory. However, the absence of Pathirana and Conway underscores the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of depth and resilience in a team’s roster.
The defending champions will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match of the Tata IPL 2024 on 22nd March in Chennai.
