IPL 2024: Laxmipathy Balaji lauds overseas recruits Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman

Chennai: Former Indian Pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has lauded CSK’s overseas recruits Sri Lankan sling bowler Matheesha Pathirana and Bangladeshi left arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

“Obviously, for a new entrant like Mustafizur, who picked up four wickets against RCB in his CSK debut, to perform on the very first game was phenomenal.

But what Pathirana, who recovered from an injury and played a key role in last night's emphatic 63 win over Guajarat Titans in a repeat of last year's final, did was he provided the cushion CSK wanted for a long time especially after Bravo because Bravo used to provide that cushion during the death overs to CSK,” the former CSK pacer Balaji said.

“Pathirana straightaway got fit into that role and it probably depends on how well new ball bowlers bowl according to that, probably Pathirana might have to wait. Because Mustafizur can bowl in the death and in the start as well. So probably in that aspect I feel it’s a good headache to have,” he added.

Speaking about Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, he said, “I think it’s the captain who has to have the trust and also kind of comfort with the bowler’s perspective. So, Ruturaj will have to get some understanding and time. We have seen what MS Dhoni did with Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur and Pathirana. Now it’s a time where Ruturaj has to step in and take the take the advice and go with gut feeling he has.”