• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news, IPL 2024
• 03/16/2024
• 0 Comments

Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, expressed the team’s ambition to dominate in death overs during the upcoming IPL season. However, the defending champions face an early setback with the unavailability of Sri Lankan paceman Matheesha Pathirana.

Pathirana’s Injury

Matheesha Pathirana, known for his slinging action, sustained a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 series in Bangladesh. According to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Pathirana will be sidelined for a minimum of four to five weeks, ruling him out of CSK’s initial matches.

A senior CSK official revealed that discussions with SLC are underway to determine Pathirana’s return timeline. However, with the T20 World Cup approaching, SLC is likely to adopt a cautious approach before clearing the premier bowler for IPL duties.

Pathirana played a pivotal role in CSK’s triumph last season, particularly with his knack for taking wickets in the death overs. His absence challenges MS Dhoni’s side, requiring alternative bowling options in the initial fixtures.

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Mustafizur Rahman as Backup

In the absence of Pathirana, CSK turns to senior Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman as a potential replacement. Mustafizur’s skill in varying pace and bowling cutters could prove valuable on Chepauk’s slow tracks.

Mustafizur Rahman is expected to join the CSK camp on March 20, just days before their opener against RCB. The team remains optimistic about Mustafizur’s contribution, considering his experience and adaptability.

CSK’s management is devising strategies to mitigate the impact of Pathirana’s absence, focusing on optimising their bowling resources for a successful start to the IPL season. Despite the setback, the team remains determined to maintain its competitive edge in the tournament.