Why Matheesha Pathirana Is Not Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match Against MI

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans were left surprised as their premier fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, was not included in the playing XI for their opening clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season against Mumbai Indians. The match, being held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, marks the third game of the season and is one of the most anticipated encounters between two of the most successful IPL franchises.

CSK Opt to Bowl First Without Pathirana

At the toss, CSK’s new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first. While announcing the team combination, he revealed that CSK had chosen four overseas players: Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Rachin Ravindra, and Sam Curran. The absence of Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana from this list raised quite a few eyebrows, especially considering his match-winning performances for CSK in recent seasons.

Speaking about the conditions, Ruturaj mentioned, “The pitch looks spicy. We are playing for the first time this season, so it’s all about adapting quickly.”

Why Is Matheesha Pathirana Not Playing Today?

Matheesha Pathirana, often dubbed as “Baby Malinga” due to his slingy bowling action, has been one of CSK’s most reliable pacers, especially in death overs. His exclusion from the playing XI sparked speculation among fans and experts.

Akash Chopra revealed that Pathirana is carrying a slight niggle and the CSK management has decided not to risk him in their opening fixture. While Chopra stated the pacer has a minor injury concern, Robin Uthappa, who was part of the discussion, suggested that CSK might also be strategically managing his workload, given the long tournament ahead.

CSK’s Overseas Combination for the Opener

Ruturaj Gaikwad explained the logic behind the team’s selection, pointing out that they went with three medium pacers and three spinners, adjusting to the Chepauk surface. The four overseas players fielded in the match are:

Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan) – Left-arm wrist spinner
Nathan Ellis (Australia) – Right-arm medium pacer
Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) – Batting all-rounder
Sam Curran (England) – All-rounder

This combination offers CSK a balance of pace and spin, but Pathirana’s absence definitely takes away a key wicket-taking option, particularly in the death overs.

When Will Pathirana Return?

CSK fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Pathirana’s injury is not serious. The team expects him to return to the playing XI once he regains full fitness. He will possibly return in their next fixture, depending on how quickly he recovers.

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