Big blow to CSK, 'Junior Malinga' left IPL due to hamstring injury and returned to his country
 

Matheesha Pathirana returns to Srilanka: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who are trying to secure their place in the playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, have suffered a major setback. Their strike fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana, popularly known as ‘Junior Malinga’, has returned to Sri Lanka to recover from a hamstring injury. T20 World Cup 2024 is to be played after IPL, hence Sri Lanka will not want to take any risk regarding Pathirana.

Pathirana debuted for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2022 season and was instrumental in their title win in 2023. “Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana is suffering from a hamstring injury and will return to Sri Lanka for further recovery,” the franchise said in a statement. “Chennai Super Kings wishes Pathirana a speedy recovery.”

Let us tell you that Pathirana has not been able to play in the last two matches due to injury. Pathirana has had a great season so far in the IPL. While bowling in 6 matches, he has taken 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68. It is because of his bowling that CSK team has been successful in winning some matches. He is currently CSK's second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 behind Mustafizur Rahman's 14 wickets.

Pathirana is the second CSK fast bowler to struggle with injuries this season. Deepak Chahar walked off the field with a hamstring strain after bowling the first two balls against Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 1. The injury of these two bowlers is a big blow for Chennai. In such a situation, they may be out of the playoff race due to lack of bowlers.