Will Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana return for the CSK vs. RCB match in IPL 2025?

The Chennai Super Kings [CSK] will host the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the clash of the GOATS at Chepauk. The two sides with the highest fanbase in the history of the IPL and two of the most celebrated players, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, will once again be witnessed in action on the field. 

In the pre-match preview interview with Stephen Fleming, the CSK head coach, he gave a recent update on the services of the key pacer Matheesha Pathirana. According to him, Pathirana has been progressing at a very slow rate, and it is difficult to count on him in the yellow jersey as of now. 

While bringing about some change to his bowling action, Pathirana suffered a minor injury and hence has been ruled out for the first few matches; this was the report claimed by earlier reports. Nothing has been confirmed by the franchise as of yet. 

Though skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is still awaiting to give an official statement on his injury update, Nathan Ellis might still be part of the 11 featuring in place of Pathirana until the Lankan pacer recovers. 

MS Dhoni makes an honest confession about his role with CSK

The legendary Indian veteran wicket-keeper batsman, MS Dhoni, is still a part of the Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings, despite his age being 43 years, with which he is officially coined one of the oldest players in the history of the tournament after Pravin Tambe. 

He has emphasized his role as a wicket-keeper batsman in the CSK side. Playing at 43, the CSK veteran still is the main gloveman for the IPL franchise, and he has shown that this has been a major contribution. 

Dhoni’s connection with the IPL and CSK dictates the history of the competition, leaving out the 2 seasons of the ban in 2016 and 2017 when Dhoni starred for the Rising Pune Super Giants. Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK secured 5 titles, though now he has passed his role onto Ruturaj Gaikwad. 

“If I’m not wicketkeeping, I think I’m useless on the field because that’s where I read the game in the best possible manner……” Dhoni said in his recent interview with Star Sports.

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