Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana credits MS Dhoni and CSK after elevation in international cricket

Matheesha Pathirana said it will be a good challenge to face India in the upcoming three-match T20I series.

Young Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana hailed his Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and their ex-captain MS Dhoni for transforming his career.

The 21-year-old speedster Pathirana will be seen playing for his national side in the upcoming T20I series against India, starting on July 27. 

Pathirana was roped in by the Chennai-based franchise in the IPL 2022 edition as a player replacement for the injured Adam Milne.

The Sri Lankan pacer played two games and scalped two wickets in the 2022 season. Following his IPL debut, the Kandy-born Pathirana made his T20 international in the same year (2022) against Afghanistan in Dubai in August.

Sharing the dressing room with MS Dhoni is very special for me: Matheesha Pathirana

Pathirana played a huge role with the ball in helping the Dhoni-led CSK lift the IPL 2023 title, where the speedster with a slingy action picked 19 wickets in 12 outings at an economy of 8.01.

Despite having injury issues, the Sri Lanka speedster was impressive during the IPL 2024 season for the five-time champions CSK. The 21-year-old bagged 13 scalps in just six matches.

After performing well in the IPL 2023 edition, Pathirana also made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka against Afghanistan on June 2, 2023. Since his debut in international cricket, Pathirana has played 12 ODIs and nine T20Is and scalped 17 and 14 wickets respectively.

Recently, Pathirana spoke about his rapid rise in international cricket. He thanked CSK for opening the doors for his national selection as he came in the recognition of the Sri Lankan selectors. The young pacer further added that sharing the dressing room with legendary MS Dhoni was very special for him.

“After my under-19s, I was not in any squads in Sri Lanka. But since my debut for CSK, I got those chances and got selected for Sri Lanka’s main team. Playing for CSK is a gift from god for me. Until I played for CSK, not many knew me. Sharing the dressing room with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially coming from Sri Lanka,” Pathirana said on Sportstar.

It will be a good challenge against India: Pathirana

Sri Lanka are all set to face the current T20 World Champions, India, in the upcoming home three-match T20I series, starting on July 27. After the conclusion of the T20I series, both nations will play three ODIs from August 2 to August 7.

Matheesha Pathirana, who has been selected for the T20I series, said that it will be a good challenge to face the world champions.

“I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming with a new coach and some new players; their combination will be slightly different. But it will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions. We have a very good side and a lot of talent and potential. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in the T20 World Cup. But if we can win this series, it will be a confidence booster for the next three years,” Pathirana added.

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