The lead up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) hasn't been that good for the defending champions Chennai Super Kings. Chennai have lost another star player as Mathisha Pathirana has been injured in Sri Lanka's match against Bangladesh. Having lost New Zealand opener Devon Conway earlier, this came as a big blow for MS Dhoni's side.
Pathirana To Miss Initial IPL Phase
Reports suggest Pathirana will miss the initial phase of the IPL. With Pathirana unavailable, Chennai might seek to bolster their bowling lineup.
The second match of the T20 series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh took place on March 6, during which Pathirana got injured. Nevertheless, Chennai has reportedly found a replacement for Pathirana, as indicated by an official from CSK. Pathirana played a significant role for Chennai in the previous season, particularly known for his prowess in the death overs. However, his absence in the early matches poses a significant setback for Chennai. Pathirana has participated in 14 IPL matches since his debut in 2022, featuring in only 2 matches this season and claiming 2 wickets.
Bangladeshi stalwart Mustafizur Rahman has been enlisted by Chennai SUper Kings this year for ₹2.00 crores. Mustafizur debuted for Mumbai in 2018 and has played 48 IPL matches to date, accruing 47 wickets with an average of 30.72 and an economy of 7.93. Therefore, Mustafizur could serve as a suitable replacement for Pathirana in the upcoming season.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians Skipper Hardik Pandya’s Season In Jeopardy?