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Key Points

CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons defended Matheesha Pathirana after their loss to PBKS, stating batters have simply adjusted to his bowling. Pathirana has taken 9 wickets at an average of 33.11 this season. PBKS secured a win thanks to Shreyas Iyer's fifty and Yuzvendra Chahal's hat-trick. CSK remains at the bottom of the table with just two wins in the tournament.

Key Points: CSK's Eric Simons Defends Matheesha Pathirana After PBKS Loss

  • Simons attributes Pathirana's struggles to batters adapting
  • Pathirana has taken 9 wickets at 33.11 average
  • PBKS beat CSK with Shreyas Iyer's fifty and Chahal's hat-trick
  • CSK languishes at bottom with just 2 wins
2 min read

CSK's Simons backs Matheesha Pathirana, says he is not less accurate but batters reading him better

CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons backs Matheesha Pathirana, says batters are adapting to his bowling rather than him being less accurate.

"I’m not sure that he is less accurate. I think batsmen are playing him a lot better. – Eric Simons"

Chennai, May 1

Following the loss against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Wednesday, the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) bowling consultant Eric Simons backed right-arm seamer Matheesha Pathirana, who has had an average tournament so far.

The fast bowler has managed to grab nine wickets in the eight matches so far at an average of 33.11, where he has conceded runs at an economy of 10.39 with best bowling figures of 2/28 in the tournament.

"I think it's been pretty well documented that there was a bit of [an] action change. But I think he's pretty much back to where he was, just in terms of the height of his arm on a reasonably consistent basis," Eric Simons said in the post-match press conference as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I'm not sure that he is less accurate. I think batsmen are playing him a lot better. We can certainly see a trend the way batsmen are playing against him. Particularly against Mumbai the other day, the technique they are using, they understand what his plans are [and] what he does. So the evolution might just be: what's next for him? Tactically, what he needs to do to keep evolving. Batsmen need to keep evolving. Bowlers need to keep evolving," Simons added.

Recapping the Wednesday clash, a fine half-century from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh and a hat-trick from Yuzvendra Chahal were the highlights as Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk Stadium on Wednesday.

With this victory, PBKS is now at the second spot in the table with six wins, three losses and a no result, giving them 13 points. On the other hand, the CSK is struggling at the bottom, with two wins and eight losses, giving them four points.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Pathirana was so good last season! 😕 It's painful to see him struggle now. Maybe teams have figured out his slingy action. Hope he works on some variations soon. CSK needs his death bowling desperately!
P
Priya M.
Simons makes a valid point about evolution. In IPL, batters study bowlers like textbooks. Pathirana's unique action was his USP, but now he needs a new chapter. Maybe slower balls or yorker variations?
A
Arjun S.
Economy of 10+ is unacceptable for a death bowler. CSK should consider giving young Indian pacers like Hangargekar a chance. We can't keep defending overseas players when they underperform season after season.
S
Sneha R.
As a CSK fan from Chennai, I still believe in Pathirana! 💛 Remember how Jadeja struggled initially but came back stronger? Our boys need our support more than ever in this tough season. Whistle Podu!
V
Vikram J.
The real issue isn't just Pathirana - CSK's entire bowling unit looks toothless without Deepak Chahar's powerplay wickets. We're missing that early pressure which made Pathirana's death bowling effective last year.
N
Neeta P.
Interesting analysis by Simons. In cricket, like chess, you need to keep innovating. Maybe Pathirana should watch some Malinga videos - see how the legend kept reinventing himself even with that unique action.

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