‘We know the importance of him’ - Stephen Fleming reflects on Matheesha Pathirana possibly missing out against MI

The IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024 gears up for one of its most anticipated encounters as Mumbai Indians take on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both sides will lock horns in the 29th game of the tournament on Sunday, April 14.

However, ahead of the clash, it seems that CSK has hit a major roadblock as ace pacer Matheesha Pathirana could be missing out for his side against Mumbai Indians. Pathirana had already missed games against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), previously. Talking about the same, CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming came forward to provide an update on Pathirana’s injury, opining that it is not as serious as once thought.

"It (Pathirana's niggle) was not as bad as what we had thought, so we are very hopeful that if not tomorrow, then very close. We know the importance of him in games like this, but we will make sure he is 100 percent in this form," Fleming was quoted as saying by NDTV.

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He is as cool as it gets' - Coach Fleming on new CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad

Furthermore, Stephen Fleming heaped praise on skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, comparing him to the legendary MS Dhoni. The head coach reflected on how Gaikwad is cut from the same cloth as Dhoni, and that he is the right man to lead the five-time champions forward. 

"There is no difference (between Gaikwad and Dhoni). He is as cool as it gets. I know the last captain was pretty cool. But this guy is cut from the same cloth, so that is rubbed through,” Fleming said.

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"He is such an impressive young man around his game and what he needs to do. He has been, I think, unfairly put into a bracket where he has been called slow. But you have to have context to some of these stats. We know that it is a bit of a Bollywood movie, sometimes getting these things up onto the screen. But he is fine. He is playing conditions well. The last game (CSK vs KKR) was a great example of how a leader plays, and there is class as well. I have absolutely no doubt about Ruturaj," Fleming concluded.