By Zainab Shafiq 
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have faced a double blow to their bowling attack with pacer Matheesha Pathirana returning to Sri Lanka to recover from a hamstring injury. This comes on top of the ongoing absence of Deepak Chahar, who is awaiting scan results after sustaining an injury against Punjab Kings earlier this week.
Pathirana, a crucial death-bowling specialist for CSK, missed both legs of the team’s encounter against Punjab Kings. Having already missed the season opener due to a similar injury while playing for Sri Lanka, his absence adds to CSK’s bowling woes.
In Pathirana’s absence, CSK’s pace attack options are severely limited. Deepak Chahar, their powerplay specialist, is yet to recover from his injury and hasn’t traveled with the team. England’s Richard Gleeson (36) remains the sole overseas fast bowler in the squad.
Mustafizur Rahman’s stint with CSK concluded on May 1st, leaving a void in the left-arm seamer position. He has joined the Bangladesh team for their ongoing home series against Zimbabwe.
Tushar Deshpande, who missed the Chennai leg of the Punjab Kings clash due to illness, has recovered and found a spot in the playing XI for the return fixture in Dharamsala. Delhi’s Simarjeet Singh and the Maharashtra duo of Mukesh Choudhary and Prashant Solanki were named as Impact Player substitutes for the Dharamsala match.
Pathirana’s injury adds to the concerns surrounding Sri Lankan fast bowlers. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka, who was set to make his debut for Mumbai Indians this season, was ruled out of the entire IPL due to injury.
Sri Lanka’s premier leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, also opted out of IPL 2024 due to chronic heel pain. With the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies approaching, Sri Lanka has yet to announce their provisional squad, leaving their bowling attack a question mark.