Matheesha Pathirana credits MS Dhoni to teach him how to play T20 cricket

Promising right-arm pacer from Sri Lanka- Matheesha Pathirana has credited former India and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni for grooming and training him how to play T20 cricket.

Pathirana, who has uncanny similarities with the legendary Lasith Malinga’s bowling action, was only 19 when CSK roped him in cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). The emerging unorthodox pacer from Sri Lanka had not even played first-class cricket then. However, Dhoni saw something special in the youngster and he has become a vital cog in CSK’s wheel since then. 

“As a youngster, if someone gives you confidence like that, it boosts your career. A player of that level showed faith in me and I believed I can do anything in that moment. Not only me, Dhoni gave confidence to all of us. There were four to five top players who were injured and he showed his trust in youngsters which was great,” said Pathirana during an interview.

“Dhoni advised me to focus on fitness if I want to achieve greater things for his team. I learned a lot from Dhoni. The first thing is humbleness and that is why he is very successful. He is 42 and still the fittest cricketer which is really inspiring. When I went there, I was a kid and no one knew me and they trained and taught me several things. Now, I know how to perform in any T20 game and how to balance my four overs in a match. Dhoni told me if I keep my body away from injury then I can achieve a lot for the team and the country,” he added.