Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has left the franchise’s camp ahead of their clash against Gujarat Titans (GT). Pathirana bid goodbye to the franchise after warming the benches due to hamstring issues that troubled him before coming to India for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Pathirana may have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury as well. He has missed a few matches due to a niggle.
On May 6, Pathirana uploaded a few pictures with former skipper MS Dhoni and the support staff as he wrote, "A hard goodbye with my only wish to see the 2024 IPL champion trophy in CSK's room soon! Grateful to the CSK team for all the blessings and love from Chennai."
The Sri Lankan pacer has picked 13 wickets from just six games in the season. His economy rate of 7.68 runs per over is impressive as well.
Pathirana was unavailable for the clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala on May 5. In Pathirana's absence, Richard Gleeson went for plenty. However, Simarjeet Singh stood up to the task and picked a couple of wickets. Despite missing the services of Mustafizur Rahman and Pathirana, CSK defended a total of 167 and won by 28 runs.
Rahman left the IPL as the NOC he received from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expired. He joined the Bangladesh T20I squad for the home series against Zimbabwe.
Where CSK stand without star pacers?
With six wins from 11 games and a good net run rate (NRR), CSK are third on the points table. They will go up against bottom-placed Gujarat Titans led by Shubman Gill on May 10 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
CSK have a depleted side due to two overseas fast bowlers leaving the side. However, Gaikwad used his resources well. Against PBKS, Mitchell Santner bowled an economical spell conceding 10 runs from three overs and picked up the crucial wicket of in-form Shashank Singh. They have another spin uption in Maheesh Theekshana.
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