The Chennai Super Kings will be seen in action on Thursday night when they take on the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. CSK are at the top of the points table with five wins in seven matches but will be aiming to win against Royals as well. Royals’ previous game against Lucknow Super Giants was a low-scoring one with KL Rahul’s team registering a narrow win, and former India spinner Murali Karthik has said that the side could be given a game to Mitchell Santner.

However, Kartik further added that Maheesh Theekshana could make way for Santner instead of Matheesha Pathirana as well.

“Mitchell Santner could replace Theekshana if he does at all. Pathirana is a seam bowler, he bowls really well in death overs. He’s emerging really well under MS Dhoni. Dhoni uses him like a remote control, Pathirana does what Dhoni wants. So, I won’t replace Pathirana,” Murali Karthik told Cricbuzz.

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“Seam bowling is a weak link for CSK. Akash Singh has done well, he bowled four back-to-back overs in the previous game.. From the first day, I’ve been saying that Mitchell Santner bowls good against any batter in any situation. There’s no better batter among bowlers than Santner. And he’s a gun fielder, his arm movement is brilliant. So, for me, there’s a case for his inclusion. But then, MS looks at the game differently,” Murali Karthik further said.

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However, in three matches this year, Pathirana has taken four wickets which came at an economy rate of 7.58. He has bowled quite well in the death overs for the Super Kings and he is likely to retain his place in the side for the Royals match as well. RR are currently third in the IPL 2023 points table with four wins in seven matches but they are on a two-match losing streak and will be trying to end it as well.