Matheesha comes in for praise from Dhoni
Sri Lankan under 19 bowler Matheesha Pathirana impressed in his debut game for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League last week . Pathirana dismissed Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya to finish with figures of 2 for 24 off 3.1 overs and skipper M.S Dhoni highly praised this young pacmean . It was a perfect day out for Pathirana as he got a wicket with his first ball in his IPL debut.
In fact Matheesha Pathirana has been named in a 26 player provisional T-20 Squad to focus on forthcoming Australians series . Making a debut at the highest level is a huge achievement. When it comes against some of the top quality players then it is a dream. The young Matheesha Pathirana used as a death bowler in the final overs in his both matches in which he finished with 2/24 and 0/28 to maintain good economy rate.
Matheesha has ability to bowl good death overs and his skills paved the way to go forward .I am sure Matheesha can be talented bowler than Malinga in future and at this age he really impressed with the ball pointed out Chennai Super Kings skipper M.S Dhoni.
Sri Lankan under 19 fast bowling coach Chamila Gamage first noticed Matheesha Pathirana during the National under 19 pool practices and guided him well and credit should go to Sri Lanka cricket for finding these type of cricketers from outstation areas .
The inclusion of Pathirana, who came into the Super Kings squad as a replacement for Adam Milne last month, was one of four changes made in the playing eleven by the team management. The 19 year old, with an unusual, slinger bowling action, similar to Lasith Malinga dismissed Shubman Gill off the first delivery of his spell, trapping him lbw with a delivery that skidded through after pitching on a length.Later, Hardik turned the face of the bat too early as he tried to negotiate a full-length delivery on off-stump and was dismissed for 7, the ball ballooning off the ridge of the bat to the fielder at mid-off.Before this debut IPL game Matheesha had only played two T-20 games in his career that too for his club.
The promising right arm medium paceman Pathirana played the U-19 World Cup earlier this year for the National side , picking up seven wickets in four matches. Besides his effectiveness with the ball, the resemblance to Lasith Malinga in terms of his bowling action is also a striking feature of his bowling.
Lasith Malinga the former Sri Lanka T- 20 Captain presently working as bowling coach of Rajasthan Royals said Matheesha on his debut “Excellent start young man.” I advised on him to keep practicing and work on improving and will help and work with Matheesha when he returns to Sri Lanka. The young Matheesha on his reply on Twitter stated thanks very much and I look forward to seeing you and working with you in the near future. I need your support and guidance and I am confident you will always be there for me, added Matheesha Pathirana, the Trinity school boy who went straight to play IPL without playing a single first class match in Sri Lanka.
Matheesha Pathirasna originally came from Ranabima Rajakeeya School in Peradeniya
(Gannoruwa) and his bowling talent paved the way to come for the Trinity College Kandy . He does not come from a rich family but his dedication is very high, said fast bowling coach Chamila Gamage . He has to go on a long journey . He first played for Trinity then came to the National
under 19 team later played for SLC conducted invitational T-20 tournament played at Pallekele and he was the member of the champions Grays team which was led by Dasun Shanaka. He also got a chance to play for the Abu Dhabi T-10 franchise cricket team and then straight to the IPL this time . He got good exposure from IPL not only playing matches but also the training with more experienced players and especially under the guidance of skipper M.S Dhoni young Matheesha Pathirana has learnt lot more to build up his career, said fast bowling coach Chamila Gamage .
Matheesha Pathirana is expected to take part at the Major T-20 inter club tournament for theNCC which commenced yesterday.Two pacemen Dushmantha Chameera and Chamika Karunaratne are also in the NCC team.