DTVHINDIIf Mathisha Pathirana is out of IPL, CSK’s problems will increase – big prediction of former KKR batsman
Matheesha Pathirana. (Photo Source: Twitter/IPL) Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may face problems if Mathisha Pathirana is not available for the initial matches of IPL 2024. Pathirana took 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.00 in IPL 2023 and was a specialist death bowler for the five-time champions. The Sri Lankan fast bowler recently suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled out of the last match of the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that Pathirana’s exclusion could create some problems for CSK. If Mathisha Pathirana is out then CSK’s problems will increase. He said, “Pathirana is injured. There is no clarity on his availability but will his injury cause any problems to Chennai Super Kings? They may have a bit of a problem because Pathirana is their leading bowler in the death overs.” During this, Chopra also admitted that the defending champions have other options for death bowling. But the former India opener believes that the unorthodox fast bowler may be missed. Chopra said, “However, now they have Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar is already there. He got a lot of bowling done by Mahesh Teekshana in the death overs, but he may feel the absence of Mathisha Pathirana a bit.” CSK have Mustafizur Rahman as another overseas seam-bowling option. If Pathirana is not available then the left-arm pacer from Bangladesh will probably be included in the playing XI as he can also bowl well in the death overs.
“I have played 3 seasons but I don’t know what he is going to bring” – Moeen Ali said about MS Dhoni
Moeen Ali has played under the captaincy of Dhoni for three seasons since 2021, MS Dhoni (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL) England’s legendary all-rounder Moeen Ali has praised Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni before the 2024 IPL season, calling him a special player and a special person. Moeen Ali has played under Dhoni’s captaincy for three seasons since 2021, helping the franchise win two of its five titles. CSK won their fifth title last year by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in a thrilling final. Dhoni holds the record for most IPL wins (133) as captain and is the only cricketer to lead a franchise (CSK) in more than 200 matches. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Moeen Ali praised MS Dhoni as a captain. Moeen Ali said, “Everyone knows that Dhoni is a special player and a special captain. He is a very nice person. I have played three seasons but I don’t know what he will bring. His strategic personality is really good. That’s what’s exciting as a player – what his role is for you. When you are playing for CSK under the captaincy of Dhoni, whether the team is weak or strong on paper, you always have a chance to win.” Let us tell you that Moeen Ali has played 40 out of his 59 IPL matches for CSK, in which he has scored 725 runs and taken 23 wickets. Before joining the CSK franchise, the 36-year-old played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) under Virat Kohli from 2018 to 2020. Chennai Super Kings squad for IPL 2022 season: MS Dhoni (captain) (wk), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway (wk), Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dubey, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hangekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Mathisha Pathirana, Avnish Rao Arveli, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Sheikh Rashid, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Shardul Thakur, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahesh Tikshana.
“Chennai has a complete foreign spin department except Ravindra Jadeja”- Aakash Chopra said on CSK’s weakness.
MS Dhoni will be the captain of CSK in IPL 2024. Aakash Chopra CSK (Photo Source: Twitter) Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are mainly dependent on foreign players in their spin-bowling department in IPL 2024. With 20 wickets in 16 matches, Ravindra Jadeja was the leading wicket-taker for CSK among spinners in IPL 2023. After him, Mahesh Tikshana (11), Moeen Ali (9) and Mitchell Santner (3) were their other successful spin bowlers. Aakash Chopra spoke about CSK’s spin department In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that Ravindra Jadeja is the only quality Indian spinner in CSK’s bowling attack. He said, “Except Ravindra Jadeja, Chennai has complete foreign spin players. If we look at Ravindra Jadeja in T20 cricket, especially in IPL, Mahi (MS Dhoni) gets the best out of him. In Chennai, when the ball rotates, he is absolutely brilliant, this happened in the World Cup.” The former India opener observed that the defending champions have four overseas spin-bowling options. Chopra said, “He has Mahesh Teekshana, whom he plays and bowls to. They have Moeen Ali, whom they feed and bowl to. He also has Mitchell Santner, whom he feeds and bowls to. If they want, they can give Rachin Ravindra a chance in place of Devon Conway, he has become another left-arm spin option.” Chopra finally acknowledged that CSK also have Prashant Solanki as the Indian spin-bowling backup. However, he claimed that the five-time champions have a very strong but completely overseas-dependent spin-bowling department. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad for IPL 2024– MS Dhoni (captain), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dubey, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hungerkar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Chaudhary, Mathisha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Sheikh Rashid, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet. Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Mahesh Teekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avnish Rao Aravali.
