IPL 2015: Angelo Mathews set to miss Delhi Daredevils' opening game in Chennai

Angelo Mathews will be unavailable for Delhi Daredevils’ opening encounter against CSK

Ahead of the start of their IPL campaign, the Delhi Daredevils have been dealt a major blow with their premier all-rounder Angelo Mathews being ruled out of their opening game against the Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. The 27-year-old will have to sit out of the encounter owing to the ban from the Tamil Nadu government on Sri Lankan players participating in IPL matches in Chennai.

This is not a new development as such with the ban, which is due to the continuing political tension over the treatment of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka, having been in place for the last two seasons. There was perhaps hope that the state government would reconsider their decision ahead of the new season, but Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) secretary Kashi Viswanathan confirmed that it wasn’t going to be the case.

“They won't be allowed to play in Chennai. The matter has been informed to the IPL governing council," he told PTI.

We haven't received any information so far: Daredevils CEO

Hemant Dua, the CEO of the franchise, however, said that they haven't received any news about the matter as yet.

"We have not yet received any information from the IPL about whether Angelo can play or not,” he said.

The Daredevils finished at the bottom of the IPL table last season and there's no doubt that they will need the likes of Mathews at all times for them to perform better this time around.