Chennai Super Kings suffered a massive blow in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 after their death-bowling specialist Matheesha Pathirana returned to Sri Lanka to recover from a hamstring injury.

After resolving the Visa issues, the Sri Lankan deo Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana joined CSK at Dharamshala for the match against Punjab Kings. But the duo missed out on the reverse clash against Punjab Kings yesterday which CSK won by 28 runs.

Later Chennai Super Kings made an official announcement regarding his status and confirmed Matheesha Pathirana’s unavailability.

“Chennai Super Kings pacer Matheesha Pathirana is nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery. Chennai Super Kings wishes Pathirana a quick recovery,” stated a media release from CSK.

In March, Pathirana sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in Sylhet and missed the CSK’s opening game against RCB. In this season, Pathirana so far played 6 games for CSK and bagged 13 wickets with an economy of 7.68.

Pathirana was not the first Sri Lankan to miss the IPL 2024. Dilshan Madushanka, who was due to make his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians was ruled out of the entire IPL season. Notably, Madushanka too picked up a hamstring injury during the Bangladesh tour.

Sri Lanka’s premier legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga had also pulled out of the entire IPL 2024 because of chronic heel pain in his left foot. With multiple injuries in the Sri Lankan camp, the team is yet to reveal their T20 World Cup 2024 squad set to play next month in USA and West Indies.

As Pathirana returned home, England’s Richard Gleeson is the only overseas fast bowler in the CSK squad.

With the victory against PBKS yesterday, CSK moves to the 3rd spot in the IPL 2024 points table and will play their next match of the season against Gujarat Titans on May 10 in Narendra Modi StadiumAhmedabad.