Matheesha Pathirana Injury Update: Will CSK Pacer Miss Start Of IPL 2024?

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Just a couple of weeks before the IPL 2024 opener, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were given another scare earlier this week when Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana limped off the field during the second T20I against Bangladesh.

The Chennai Super Kings like most IPL teams started their preparatory camps earlier this week as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad were joined by some of the Indian contingent for training.

The players on international duty and domestic commitment are likely to join the camp sometime next week. CSK will open their season at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 in the curtain-raiser.

CSK, who are already set to be without Devon Conway for the first half of the season, will not want to start their title defence without one of their rising stars from their title-winning campaign. Hence, they will be eager to have the Sri Lankan fit and ready from the start.

Pathirana was seen struggling with his hamstring while bowling his last over of his spell in the second T20I against Bangladesh at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (March 6).

After a brief pause, the 21-year-old decided to leave the field and was seen in pain after doing some damage to his hamstring. He also struggled with cramps in the previous game, forcing the physio to attend and treat him.

However, he continued bowling despite not looking a 100 percent fit and got through his over. In the second T20I, the injury may have worsened as he was to leave the field without completing his over.

The youngster, who was the lone wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the 8-wicket loss to Bangladesh, was taken for scans as he had felt tightness in his hamstring after bowling 3.4 overs. CSK fans were worried about the news.

However, CSK can breathe a sigh of relief as the latest Matheesha Pathirana injury update seems a little promising as it's just a grade-1 hamstring injury, which usually takes a couple of weeks to recover.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the same via their social media handle, adding that the pacer will not be available for selection for the 3rd T20I against Bangladesh, scheduled for Saturday (March 9).

The Lankans will also rest him from the three-match ODI series, which is scheduled to be held from March 13 to March 18 in Chattogram. With two weeks needed to recover from this mild injury, CSK will definitely be without the pacer for the opening match vs RCB.

CSK may give him more time to recover than the two weeks as it's not worth the risk to play him and aggravate the injury even further. So, the Sri Lankan pacer may not be fit for the first few matches.

CSK, however, received further boost with their newest recruit Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh returning to fitness from an head injury during the T20I series against Sri Lanka. So, CSK may use Mustafizur in case Pathirana is not fit for the start of the season.