In a surprising turn for IPL 2025, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kicked off their campaign without star bowler Matheesha Pathirana in their playing XI for the highly anticipated match against the Mumbai Indians. The decision to leave out the 22-year-old Sri Lankan pacer was made during the third match of the tournament, held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai.
Pathirana, who has been a crucial player for CSK over the past couple of seasons, was replaced by Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis. This move has garnered significant attention, as Pathirana is known for his death-over effectiveness and had solidified his reputation as a reliable match-winner for CSK.
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, after winning the toss, chose to bowl first, citing the need to adapt quickly to what he described as a "spicy" track. He remarked, "We are going to bowl first. It looks good, to be honest. We are playing for the first time. Don't really know how it will play. It looks a bit spicy but every time the wicket plays differently here. You don't know how it will play. So, it will be about adapting to the conditions quickly."
While the official reason for Pathirana’s omission has not been provided, it appears that the decision is significantly based on his performance. CSK has a limit of four overseas players per match, and with Noor Ahmad, Rachin Ravindra, and Sam Curran already selected, it seems that Ellis provided more flexibility and balance for the team. Gaikwad confirmed, "Our four overseas players are Noor, Ellis, Rachin Ravindra, and Sam Curran."
Throughout the last IPL season, Pathirana had shown notable skill, but recent reports indicated he was dealing with a small niggle prior to the game. Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra confirmed this absence while discussing the CSK team's dynamics. Robin Uthappa also speculated that the decision might have been influenced by Pathirana’s recent form and that he might have been rested instead.
Ruturaj Gaikwad addressed Pathirana's situation further, revealing that CSK had closely monitored the bowler during their practice match. "He is definitely in good shape and we had a good look at him in the practice game that we had. But what this year we have done in the options as well, I think we have got very good fast bowlers as back-ups," Gaikwad explained. However, the captain did emphasize that the final decision would heavily rely on how Pathirana felt on match day.
This season marks a critical point in Pathirana's career, particularly after he missed a chunk of the previous IPL due to a hamstring injury sustained in a series against Bangladesh in March 2024. Up until that injury, he had proven himself consistently, taking 19 wickets in the IPL 2023 season, solidifying his place in the team.
Overall, Pathirana has participated in 20 IPL matches since his debut in 2022, accumulating 34 wickets with an economical rate of 7.68. His best performance remains an impressive 4/28 against the Mumbai Indians last season. Yet, recent underwhelming performances in the SA20 league, where he picked up just three wickets from six matches, might have played a role in CSK's decision to opt for Nathan Ellis instead. Ellis’s ability to contribute with the bat, alongside his bowling strength, has been viewed as a tactical advantage for CSK, particularly on a pitch expected to slow down.
With Pathirana's absence in this crucial match against their longtime rivals, speculation continues over how CSK will fare without one of their key bowlers. At the time of writing, the Mumbai Indians were off to a rocky start, at 35/2 in just over four overs, as pacer Khaleel Ahmed struck twice to dismiss openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton.
This swiftly evolving situation in the CSK camp raises questions about the dynamics of player selection in high-stakes matches. As the IPL continues, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on Pathirana’s fitness, form, and potential return to the playing XI as the tournament progresses.
