Kugadas Mathulan: 17-Year-Old Sri Lankan Impresses MS Dhoni, CSK Call Him In As Net Bowler

Kugadas Mathulan is a 17-year-old fast bowler from Sri Lanka.

Just 17 years of age, a fast bowler named Kugadas Mathulan recently caught the attention of CSK captain MS Dhoni, and 'Thala' was so much impressed with his bowling that the five-time champion side has brought the pacer to the team's pre-season camp which went underway earlier in March 2024, as reported by Sri Lanka journalist Nibraz Ramzan.

Mathulan bowled a toe-crushing yorker during a match between St. John's College and Jaffna Central College. The clip of that ball which left a batter on the ground is going viral at the moment. (CSK vs RCB Probable Playing 11 IPL 2024: MS Dhoni's Team Faces Injury Issues As Virat Kohli Set To Return)

Watch the video here:

17 year old Jaffna slinga “Kugadas Mathulan” is currently at Chennai as M s Dhoni wanted to have a look at his Bowling. He wil be a net bowler for @ChennaiIPL during the IPL 2024. pic.twitter.com/3lHMzcHSJd  Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) March 14, 2024

A week ahead of the upcoming IPL, defending champions Chennai Super Kings were left to fret over another injury concern as pacer Matheesha Pathirana has suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain on his left leg.

The Sri Lankan slinger suffered the niggle during the second T20I against Bangladesh at Sylhet on March 6 and left the field without completing his spell.

"Matheesha Pathirana will not be available for selection for the third T20I (on Saturday), as the player has sustained a Grade 1 hamstring injury on his left leg," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

Pathirana bowled 3.4 overs in that match and took two wickets while conceding 28 runs. (Did You Know: Son-In-Law KL Rahul Captains LSG But Suniel Shetty Is Fan Of Multiple-Time Champions)

This edition of IPL will start from March 22 and the CSK will face cross-city rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the opening match.

"The Grade 1 hamstring typically takes nearly two weeks to recover fully. So, it remains to be seen when Pathirana can join the team, and it is hard to tell at this stage whether he will be available for the initial couple of matches," an IPL source told PTI.

Pathirana bowled 3.4 overs in that match and took two wickets while conceding 28 runs.

This edition of IPL will start from March 22 and the CSK will face cross-city rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the opening match.

"The Grade 1 hamstring typically takes nearly two weeks to recover fully. So, it remains to be seen when Pathirana can join the team, and it is hard to tell at this stage whether he will be available for the initial couple of matches," an IPL source told PTI.