Big blow to MS Dhoni's CSK as star player gives massive injury scare ahead of IPL 2024

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has incurred a Grade 1 hamstring strain in his left leg and will be sidelined for the initial matches of the IPL 2024 season. The injury occurred while the Sri Lankan pacer was playing in the second T20I against Bangladesh in Sylhet on March 6.

“Matheesha Pathirana will not be available for selection for the third T20I (on Saturday), as the player has sustained a Grade 1 hamstring injury on his left leg,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

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Pathirana jolt for CSK

The IPL 2024 season kicks off on March 22, featuring the opening match between the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. It is likely that Pathirana will be unavailable for this inaugural game.

“The Grade 1 hamstring typically takes nearly two weeks to recover fully. So, it remains to be seen when Pathirana can join the team, and it is hard to tell at this stage whether he will be available for the initial couple of matches,” an IPL source told PTI.

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Pathirana played a key role in CSK's championship victory last season, claiming 19 wickets across 12 matches.

This marks another significant setback for CSK, following the news that opening batsman Devon Conway will miss at least the first half of the season due to a thumb injury he picked up in the recent T20I series against Australia. In IPL 2023, Conway was the top scorer for Chennai, amassing 672 runs at an average of nearly 52.

CSK's schedule for IPL 2024's first 21 days:

CSK vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - March 22 - Chennai - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Gujarat Titans - March 26 - Chennai - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Delhi Capitals - March 31 - Visakhapatnam - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - April 5 - Hyderabad - 7:30 PM IST

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