IPL 2025: Matheesha Pathirana calls MS Dhoni as 'cricketing father’

Sri Lankan cricketer Matheesha Pathirana has called legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his ‘cricketing father’.

Pathirana made the revelation in a new documentary for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise, which was released recently. 

"Dhoni is like my father, because of the support and the mentorship and the guidance he is giving me when I’m in CSK,” said Pathirana.

 “It’s very similar to what my father did in my home. That’s why I consider Dhoni my cricketing father," he added.

Parents Express Gratitude

Pathirana's parents also narrated about Dhoni effect on his rise in the documentary.

"No words for MS Dhoni. He is the real God. How Matheesha respects his father. Like that, he respects Dhoni,” Matheesha’s mother Shalika is found narrating in the video.

Must Read: CSK vs DC in IPL 2025 today: MS Dhoni likely to lead five-time champions!

"In Sri Lanka, I am his father, in India it is MS Dhoni," said Pathirana's father Anura.

Notably, Pathirana was fast-tracked into the CSK team by Dhoni In 2023. The unorthodox pacer had his breakthrough IPL season, ending up with 19 wickets from 12 games. The next season, he took 13 wickets from six games. He also went on to represent the Sri Lankan national team as well.

Notably, Pathirana is known as ‘Baby Malinga’ in cricketing circles as the Lankan pacer has modelled his bowling action on Sri Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga.