CSK Pacer Matheesha Pathirana Declared Fit for IPL 2024 After Rehabilitation

Chennai Super Kings‘ fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been given the green light to participate in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season after successfully recovering from a hamstring tear.

Pathirana’s manager, Amila Kalugalage, shared the positive update on the player’s readiness following rehabilitation.

The young Sri Lankan pacer incurred the injury during a recent ODI series against Bangladesh, which resulted in a Grade 1 hamstring tear that caused him to miss subsequent matches.

Pathirana is set to rejoin the CSK squad pending clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as part of the final medical approval process.

In the previous IPL season, Pathirana played a pivotal role in Chennai Super Kings’ triumph, securing 19 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 8, placing him among the team’s top bowlers alongside Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja.

CSK has endured setbacks with injuries affecting other key players such as Devon Conway, leading to adjustments in the team’s lineup for the forthcoming matches.

Head coach Stephen Fleming expressed optimism despite the challenges, emphasizing the squad’s improved depth this season compared to the previous year.

Pathirana’s absence could potentially open opportunities for alternative bowlers like Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman or all-rounder Moeen Ali, providing CSK with versatile options in various playing conditions.

CSK’s bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, highlighted the significance of death bowling and the integral role it plays in T20 matches, especially during crucial moments in games.

As CSK readies to defend their title, the team’s lineup is being fine-tuned ahead of their initial matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans, setting the stage for an exciting start to their IPL 2024 campaign.

Deivarayan Muthu and Andrew Fidel Fernando from ESPNcricinfo contributed to this report.