The cricketing fraternity has been dealt a significant blow as Sri Lanka’s talented fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is set to miss the upcoming third T20I match against Bangladesh, owing to an injury sustained during the previous encounter on March 6. Playing at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on the forthcoming Saturday, March 9, will now be bereft of the potential that Pathirana brings to the field.
This 21-year-old, who has quickly gained reputation for his unorthodox slinging action reminiscent of Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, incurred a grade one hamstring injury on his left leg. His injury was evident during the second T20I when he prematurely ended his spell, visibly in distress and clutching his left hamstring after 3.4 overs having taken 2 wickets for 28 runs. The unfortunate setback occurred prior to Bangladesh successfully chasing the target of 166 runs to level the series 1-1.
The loss of Pathirana midway through his bowling not only created an immediate hindrance but also posed a cascading challenge for the remainder of the series. Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews had to step in and complete Pathirana’s over, illustrating the sudden impact of the injury.
However, the repercussions extend beyond the immediate international fixtures. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a powerhouse in the Indian Premier League (IPL), now face immense uncertainty about their title defense in the upcoming 2024 season. Having been one of the standout performers in the previous edition of the IPL, Pathirana bagged 19 wickets across 12 games, becoming the third-leading wicket-taker for his team. Under the savvy leadership of MS Dhoni, Pathirana was instrumental in providing pivotal breakthroughs, many times changing the course of the matches in CSK’s favor.
The dynamic duo of Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, who took 21 wickets, proved instrumental in relieving pressure from the esteemed spin contingent of the CSK lineup by notching up a collective 40 wickets between them. Consequently, the Chennai camp now hangs on tenterhooks, awaiting news on the fitness and subsequent availability of the young pacer for the forthcoming IPL season.
As the injury stirs disquiet among the fan base and strategists alike, many eyes will also be on the Sri Lankan squad, which needs to quickly adapt to the absence of Pathirana. The team, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, includes noteworthy talents such as Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Dasun Shanaka. Their counterpart, the Bangladesh squad, captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto, features Litton Das and Mahmudullah alongside others. Both teams, firmly set on victory, will have to make strategic adjustments in light of recent developments.
The future remains uncertain for the young Sri Lankan quick. While the extent of his absence for the IPL is still unclarified, the potential void left by his absence is palpable. Pathirana, who has earlier showcased his mettle by delivering under the high-pressure situations of the IPL, is undoubtedly an asset both teams wish to have in their armory.
For the moment, as the cricketing world looks on, it is a wait-and-see scenario as to when Matheesha Pathirana will return to the park—the sooner, the better for both Sri Lanka and the Chennai Super Kings. His recovery will be anxiously monitored by fans and officials alike, as a young talent’s journey hangs in the balance, and a high-stakes season looms ahead for one of the most coveted titles in cricket.
