Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana
Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana (Photo Credit: Getty)

Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have become the first franchise to start preparations for the upcoming IPL 2021 edition. The BCCI had recently announced the dates and schedule for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League, which begins from April 9 and the final will be played on May 30.

The BCCI has also announced that the entire tournament will be played across six venues in the country. The matches will be played at Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. Bengaluru will host the tournament opener, while Ahmedabad will host the playoffs and the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad.

Chennai Super Kings CSK
Chennai Super Kings. Image Credits: Twitter

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) began their prep for IPL 2021 on March 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This is more important given that they had failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2020, for the first time in their IPL history, and finished in the bottom half of the points table.

CSK Invites Two Sri Lanka Bowlers For The Training Camp

The CSK had brought the likes of Moeen Ali, K Gowtham apart from local talents like C Hari Nishaanth, and Harishankar Reddy during the IPL 2021 auction. The camp which began on March 9, saw the likes of N Jagadeesan, R Sai Kishore, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ambato Rayudu practicing under the watchful eyes of MS Dhoni.

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni (Image Credit: Twitter)

CSK has also invited two Sri Lankan bowlers to prepare well for IPL 2021. Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana were asked by the IPL 2010, 2011, and 2018 winners CSK to come and train with them.

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Maheesh Theekshana is a talented mystery spinner who hails from St. Benedict College, Kotahena, and has played for the Sri Lanka U19 team in Youth Asia Cup a couple of years back. On the other hand, Matheesha Pathirana is a fast bowler with a slingy action who played for Sri Lanka U19 team in the Youth World Cup recently in South Africa.

Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana
Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana (Photo Credit: SL Twitter)

According to Sri Lankan news outlet NewsWire, 20-year old Theekshana and 18-year old Pathirana have been included as reserve players and not main players in the CSK squad. The duo has requested the NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket to participate in the training sessions.

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