CSK bowler Sisanda Magala ruled out for two weeks, confirms Head coach Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings' replacement player Sisanda Magala joins the list of injured players in the IPL 2023.

During the game against Rajasthan Royals, Sisanda Magala sustained an injury and had to leave the field. The Chennai Super Kings team is facing a challenging situation as they have been hit with multiple injuries to their players, posing a threat to their chances of making it to the playoffs. Coach Stephen Fleming admitted that their resources are limited, and the pace bowling unit has been the most affected. Deepak Chahar also suffered an injury against Mumbai Indians, Simarjeet Singh is still in recovery from his previous injury, and Kyle Jamieson and Mukesh Choudhary were already ruled out before the start of the season. Following their loss to Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk on Wednesday, the coach expressed his concerns over the team's ability to cope with the mounting injuries.

After New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson was ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury, Sisanda Magala was incidentally brought in as a replacement player for the Super Kings squad.

Coach Fleming worried about Super Kings' lack of depth due to injuries

Fleming talked about Magala, who left the field after bowling two overs due to a split webbing. “For us again, it's losing another player, that's two games in a row and we're already pretty thin, so we'd like it (injuries) to stop.”

"Magala's hand was split unfortunately, so he was unable to bowl those last two overs. And same with Deepak Chahar in the last game, so we're operating on pretty thin resources. But we're not the only team to have that. I think a lot of players coming out of a big domestic season are a little bit broken, but we just keep having to find solutions, so we'll do that in the next four days. But, yeah, it's not ideal yet. The captain has to then think on his feet (if bowlers keep getting injured). Moeen Ali had to come back (after Magala hurt his webbing), and he hadn't had a great day but he got the wicket of (Jos) Buttler which was good,” Fleming said.

"And you've got young players like Akash (Singh) who is coming in for his first game, having to bowl some key overs. It's not how we plan, but T20 very rarely goes to plan," the CSK coach added.

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana declared fit for Chennai Super Kings after Covid-19 recovery

According to Fleming, Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 in New Zealand, has recovered and is now eligible for selection.

“Chahar is out for a few weeks. Magala is out for two weeks. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana tested positive for Covid-19 in NZ and has recovered and is available for selection now. We did not want to rush him back for this game.”

Chennai Super Kings will next tour Bangalore for their next match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, 17th April.