Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The reigning IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been handed a massive blow with their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana returning to Sri Lanka to nurse his hamstring injury. The young pacer, who has missed two CSK matches on the trot in their bid to the IPL 2024 playoffs, now remains doubtful for the remainder of the season.
With only three games left for CSK to ensure playoffs qualification, after their match against Punjab Kings, currently underway at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, this news comes as a big blow. The young right-arm pacer missed CSK’s last match against PBKS at the MA Chidambaram but travelled with the side to Dharamsala for the reverse fixture.
After missing a place in the Playing XI, the franchise took to X to confirm this news. “Chennai Super Kings pacer Matheesha Pathirana is nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery,” CSK said in its official statement. “The right-arm pacer played six matches in IPL 2024 picking up 13 wickets at an economy of 7.86. Chennai Super Kings wishes Pathirana a quick recovery,” it further added.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK are placed fifth in the IPL 2024 standings with five wins and as many losses in 10 matches. With 10 points in the tally, they are placed fifth only after Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, SunRisers Hyderabad. After their match against PBKS, the side will travel to Ahmedabad to play Gujarat Titans on May 10, Friday.
