PBKS vs CSK: Matheesha Pathirana to remain unavailable in Dharamshala? Aakash Chopra's stunning revelation

Aakash Chopra has warned Chennai Super Kings that they might struggle if their Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana doesn't feature against Punjab Kings tonight. 

The reigning champions are all set to lock horns with the Punjab Kings for the first time in IPL 2024 at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Dharamshala. CSK are winless against the 2014 runners-up in their last 5 meetings and for them to win this match, the inclusion and performance of Matheesha Pathirana will be extremely crucial. 

Aakash Chopra says Matheesha Pathirana makes CSK's game more interesting 

While speaking on his latest YouTube video, Aakash Chopra was dissecting and doing the pre-match analysis of the Chennai Vs Punjab game. Therein, he mentioned the importance of Matheesha Pathirana in the CSK team and how crucial he is for the team's bright performances. 

Aakash Chopra claimed that in the case of Matheesha Pathirana's absence, the 5-time champions will get weak as they are anyway without Mustafizur Rahman. Pathirana has claimed 13 wickets from just 6 games at a very good economy rate of 7.68, averaging 13  with a best of 4/28. 

His performance directly contributes to CSK's good performances and Chopra claimed that he has to be there in the playing XI for Chennai's sake. The 38-year-old also stated that he is rooting for Pathirana to come back as he makes the game very exciting and interesting. 

"If Pathirana isn't available, this team will struggle a lot because they have too many bowling problems. So I am hoping that Pathirana is available for Chennai's sake, and the match becomes enjoyable because he makes the game interesting." - Aakash Chopra said via his latest YT video. 

Why is Matheesha Pathirana in danger of missing CSK's clash against Punjab 

Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana, Chennai's only two players from Sri Lanka, had returned home to get their Visas done for the ICC T20 World Cup. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board had asked the duo to come back to the country to get their documentation sorted for the application of their Visa for the USA and the West Indies.

Pathirana and Theekshana had faced certain delays during the process and they had also missed a few of CSK's training sessions in Chennai and Dharamshala. There was also a major tension around the Super Kings camp that Matheesha Pathirana might even miss the game against Punjab Kings for the same reason.

However, Matheesha Pathirana uploaded a story on Instagram along with Maheesh Theekshana which confirmed that he will play against Punjab. The 21-year-old captioned the picture by writing, "Delhi to Dharamshala" and that pretty much confirms his participation tonight. 

CSK in must-win situation

To keep their dreams alive for the IPL 2024 play-offs and to defend their IPL title, the CSK are in a must-win situation at the moment.

Not only in the game against Punjab Kings but also in their next league games, Chennai have no option but to win every game to have any chance for a top-four finish. They have 10 points from 10 matches currently. 

Read More: 

• IPL 2024 Points Table