Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, expressed the team’s aim to dominate in the death overs, striving to become the best bowling unit in that phase. However, similar to the previous season, the defending champions face concerns at the start of this season due to the absence of Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
Pathirana sustained a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s T20 series in Bangladesh, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). His recovery is expected to take four to five weeks, ruling him out of CSK’s initial matches. A senior CSK official acknowledged Pathirana’s significance in their bowling attack and stated they would coordinate with SLC to determine his availability, recognizing that such setbacks are part of the game.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, SLC will understandably adopt a cautious approach before clearing Pathirana for IPL duties. Despite his absence, CSK possesses backup options, with senior Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman emerging as a key figure in the opening weeks.
Mustafizur’s ability to vary his pace and employ effective cutters could prove invaluable on the slower Chepauk tracks. He is slated to join the team’s camp on March 20, just before their opener against RCB. CSK remains confident in Mustafizur’s capabilities, recognizing his experience and skill set, and they are eager to see how he performs in the upcoming matches.