Another Blow for CSK as Star Pacer suffers Hamstring Injury ahead of IPL 2024: In yet another setback for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Tata IPL 2024, the star pacer has suffered a hamstring injury and will likely miss some part of the upcoming Indian Premier League. Sri Lankan pacer Mahesh Pathirana, who played a crucial role in CSK’s title victory in IPL 2023, has endured a hamstring injury as informed by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board.
CSK pacer Pathirana copped the blow during the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2nd T20I in Sylhet and was subsequently ruled out of the third T20I. His home cricket board confirmed that the speedster won’t partake in further proceedings after suffering a grade 1 hamstring injury to his left leg.
“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.
Notably, Mahesh Pathirana is a vital cog for CSK as they aim to defend their title in the Tata IPL 2024. The pacer had scalped 19 wickets in his 12 outings during the IPL 2023 for CSK and emerged as one of the top performers for the CSK throughout the season.
However, an injury to him comes in as a headache for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). It is learnt that the grade 1 hamstring tear takes three to eight weeks to heal. Based on this, it can be inferred that the pacer could miss the initial few matches for the team.
“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.
It’s worth noting that CSK has already lost their star opener Devon Conway to a thumb injury, which he suffered during the T20I series against Australia. The Kiwi batter won’t be available for at least eight months, as informed by the New Zealand Cricket Board, which effectively rules him out for, at least, more than the first half of the Tata IPL 2024.
Conway was CSK’s best batter in the IPL 2023 as he scored 672 runs in 15 innings. The left-arm batter maintained an impressive average of 51.69 along with the strike rate of 139.70. He struck 6 half-centuries during his side’s impressive run in the IPL 2023.
The Tata IPL 2024 begins on March 22 in Chennai. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will square off against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening clash at the Chepauk Stadium.
ALSO READ: IPL 2024: Watch MS Dhoni starts training for IPL 2024, seen in CSK jersey at Chepauk Stadium
