MS Dhoni and CSK on stretcher as star player gets ruled out of intital games of IPL 2024, replacement finalized

Ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Dwayne Bravo has said the team is aiming to be the death bowling outfit. The reigning champions will kickstart their title defense on March 22 when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in a mouth-watering tournament opener.

And while CSK will be looking to make an impression with their death bowling right from the start of the competition, their plans could take a big hit due to the unavailability of their Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

The right-arm pacer is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that he sustained earlier this month during the T20I series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the bowler has suffered a grade one hamstring tear. As per a report in the Times of India, Pathirana is set to be sidelined for at least four to five weeks.

It will mean he will miss the first few games for CSK and his absence could be a big blow for the reigning champions. Pathirana was a key player for them last year as he picked up 19 wickets and consistently impressed in the death overs.

“We have to talk to SLC to know when he will be available. He is one of our premier bowlers, but these things happen,” a senior CSK official told TOI.

With the T20 World Cup not very far away, SLC will not take any risk with Pathirana and will not rush his return to the field. With Pathirana set to miss at least the first few games for CSK, the five-time IPL champions can pin their hopes on their recruit, Mustafizur Rahman. An experienced bowler who is known for his death bowling, Mustfizur could be the man to deliver for CSK in the death overs in the first couple of weeks of IPL 2024.

“Fizz will join the camp on March 20, a couple of days before our opener against RCB. He knows what it takes and we’ll see how he shapes up,” the official said.

Dwayne Bravo on CSK’s death bowling:

Earlier this week, Bravo made it clear that he wants CSK’s death bowling to be the best in the tournament this year. Bravo, who was himself one of the best bowlers in death overs, opened up on what it takes to deliver with the ball in pressure situations.

“I don’t have input in the auctions. But my job starts now. Death bowling is my specialty. I believe in T20s that (death overs) is a very important segment of the game. It requires a lot of skill, bravery, and planning, from preparation in practice to the games, match awareness and situations.

“You have to implement it in practice and get these guys to believe in philosophy and work towards it. Last year, we had the best death bowling team, and we look forward to repeating it,” said Bravo.