In a significant setback for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), former cricketer Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over the team’s fast bowling department ahead of the remaining matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Pathan’s remarks come in the wake of CSK’s 7-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Wednesday, May 1. CSK, currently occupying the fourth position in the IPL 2024 points table with 10 points from 10 matches, suffered a significant blow as they lost the services of Mustafizur Rahman for the remainder of the tournament. The Bangladeshi pacer, who has been instrumental for CSK with 14 wickets in IPL 2024, will be leaving to participate in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, CSK encountered further setbacks in their pace bowling department during the match against PBKS. Deepak Chahar exited the field after delivering only two balls, raising concerns over his fitness. Matheesha Pathirana missed the match due to injury concerns, while Tushar Deshpande was unavailable, paving the way for debutant Richard Gleeson. Speaking to X, Irfan Pathan highlighted the challenges CSK may face due to these absences, stating, “Mustafizur won’t be available from now on. Deepak went off today. Pathirana and Tushar Deshapnde’s availability going forward will be a question mark. The problem of plenty for CSK.”
On the batting front, CSK struggled to post a competitive total against PBKS, managing 162 runs for losing 7 wickets. Ruturaj Gaikwad stood out with a resilient knock of 62 runs off 48 balls, while captain MS Dhoni could only muster 14 runs off 11 deliveries. PBKS comfortably chased down the target with 13 balls to spare, with Shardul Thakur, Richard Gleeson, and Shivam Dube claiming one wicket each.
Looking ahead, CSK will have an opportunity to redeem themselves as they prepare to face PBKS in the reverse fixture on Sunday, May 5, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. As CSK navigates through the challenges posed by injuries and departures, its ability to adapt and overcome these hurdles will be crucial in shaping its fortunes in the latter stages of IPL 2024. With Mustafizur’s absence and uncertainties surrounding the fitness of key players like Chahar, CSK’s bowling resources are under strain, necessitating swift solutions to maintain their competitive edge in the tournament.