Revealed: Why is Matheesha Pathirana not playing today’s IPL 2025 match against Mumbai Indians

The premier 22-year-old Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Matheesha Pathirana is shockingly not a part of the playing XI of his team in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener on Sunday, March 23.

The third match of the Indian Premier League 2025 between the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians is currently underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.

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Our four overseas players are Noor, Ellis, Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran - Ruturaj Gaikwad

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and chose to bowl first in the match. He said that the track in Chennai is spicy and they want to adapt to the conditions quickly. He said:

"We are going to bowl first. It looks good, to be honest. We are playing for the first time. Don't really know how it will play. It looks a bit spicy but every time the wicket plays different here. You don't know how it will play. So, it will be about adapting to the conditions quickly."

"The preparation has been good. Everyone has been a part of the camp from the first day. We have a number of talented young players coming into the side. We also have our young wicket-keeper coming back as well. We also had a good auction.

Ruturaj Gaikwad further named the four overseas players in the Chennai Super Kings playing XI and they were - Noor Ahmad, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran and Nathan Ellis. He shockingly didn't name Matheesha Pathirana in the team, which shocked many. He said:

"It's always good to be back in yellow. I have been playing here since a long time and I'm enjoying it. We have three medium-pacers to go with three spinners. Our four overseas players are Noor, Ellis, Rachin Ravindra and Sam Curran."

Revealed: Why is Matheesha Pathirana not playing today’s IPL 2025 match

Matheesha Pathirana has been one of the best performers for CSK in the last few years and he is the sure-shot starter in the playing XI.

However, he missed the match against Mumbai Indians due to a small niggle he picked up before the high-octane Indian Premier League clash.

This development was confirmed by the cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra on air when he was discussing with Robin Uthappa about the absence of Matheesha Pathirana in the playing XI. Notably, Robin felt that Matheesha Pathirana was rested by CSK looking at his recent form.

We had a good look at him in the practice game - Ruturaj Gaikwad

Speaking to media ahead of their IPL opener, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad talked about Pathirana, who has made a change to his bowling action, where his arm is a little higher than it used to be on release, and said that they had a good look at the pacer in the practice game and he is in good shape. He had said:

"He [Pathirana] is definitely in a good shape and we had a good look at him in the practice game that we had. But what this year we have done in the options as well, I think we have got very good fast bowlers as back-ups."