Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are playing without their pacer Matheesha Pathirana as they are taking on Punjab Kings for match 53 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
As per sources, the star pacer missed his place in the playing XI as he has returned to Sri Lanka to recover from his hamstring injury.
Pathirana has played six matches for CSK in IPL 2024. He has picked 13 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.68.
"Chennai Super Kings pacer Matheesha Pathirana is nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery," CSK stated in a press release.
Earlier a day before, Pathirana showed his immense gratitude to Dhoni for propelling his career in a recent interaction. Labelling him a father figure in his cricketing life, Pathirana said Dhoni has always supported him.
"After my father, in my cricket life, Dhoni plays my father's role. He takes care of me, and he gives me advice on what I have to do, similar to my father's thing when I'm at my home. I think that's enough," the star pacer had said.