Sri Lanka national cricket team fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has spoken about how playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) changed his career. He said that playing for the franchise was a gift from God for him as not many knew about him until then.

Matheesha Pathirana is one of the most promising players to emerge from Sri Lanka. But his potential was demonstrated to the world by MS Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings. He joined the team in 2022 and since then, he has been an integral part of the team, contributing immensely to the team’s success.

Matheesha Pathirana played an important role for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023. She took 19 wickets at an average of less than 20 and an economy of 8.01 in 12 outings and helped the team win the title under the leadership of MS Dhoni, who recognised her potential and used it quite well.

Thanks to his heroics in the IPL, Matheesha Pathirana also staked his claim for the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. The fast bowler is now the mainstay of the team in the white-ball formats. The fast bowler has been named in the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I and ODI series against India.

Ahead of the series against India, Matheesha Pathirana highlighted that after the U-19s, not many knew him but after joining CSK, things changed. He also spoke about sharing the dressing room with MS Dhoni and while speaking to Sportstar, he explained:

“After my U-19 stint, I was not in any Sri Lankan squad. But since my debut for CSK, I got those opportunities and was picked for the main Sri Lankan team. Playing for CSK is a gift from God for me.

“Until I played for CSK, not many people knew me. Sharing a dressing room with Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially those coming from Sri Lanka.”

We have a very good team and a lot of talent and potential – Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana further spoke about the upcoming T20I series against the Indian National Cricket Team and stated that it will be a good challenge for them as the Indian combination will be different this time. She expressed confidence in her team and stated that if they win the series it will be a boost for them. She added:

“I think it will be a good challenge. India are coming in 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 team and a lot of talent and potential. Unfortunately, we did not do well in the World T20. But if we can win this series, it will give us confidence for the next three years.”

The first match of the series between India and Sri Lanka will be played on July 27, followed by the last two games scheduled for July 28 and 30 respectively.