IPL 2024: CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana ruled out for four-five weeks, says report

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have sustained a fresh injury blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana reportedly having suffered an injury. According to a report in Times of India, Pathirana, who suffered a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s recent T20I series against Bangladesh, will be out for at least four-five weeks which means he will miss CSK’s first few matches.

“We have to talk to SLC to know when he will be available. He is one of our premier bowlers, but these things happen,” a senior CSK official was quoted as saying by the Times of India. Pathirana’s injury comes as a latest setback for defending champions CSK, who will be out for eight weeks and miss the IPL with a thumb injury.

In Pathirana’s absence, Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman’s role could be crucial in the team. Mustafizur will join the team camp on 20 March, two days before CSK host Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 opener at Chepauk.

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“Fizz will join the camp on March 20, a couple of days before our opener against RCB. He knows what it takes and we’ll see how he shapes up,” the official added.

Pathirana had played a crucial part in CSK’s title-winning campaign last year, taking 21 wickets from 14 matches. As far as his recent exploits are concerned, Pathirana has taken 11 wickets for Sri Lanka in the last five T20Is, including a four-fer against Afghanistan in Dambulla on 17 February.