Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Youngster Matheesha Pathirana has acclaimed the legendary Wicktkeeper-Batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his “Father Cricket”. Sri Lanka’s pacemakers discussed the former captain’s contribution to his career in a CSK documentary.

The 22 -year -old joined the franchise at Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 as a replacement for Adam Milne. Since then, he has been one of the main players of the team. The right pacemaker was the only retention abroad of CSK before the IPL 2025 auction.

In the video, he has considered Dhoni as his father, due to the attention and orientation he has received from Dhoni while playing in the IPL.

“Dhoni is like my father, due to support and tutoring and the guidance that he is giving me when I’m in CSK. It is very similar to what my father did in my house. That’s why I consider Dhoni my father from Cricket,” Pathirana said.

CSK PACER reveals his first meeting with Dhoni

The young player also revealed his first reaction when he met the former CSK captain.

He mentioned that Dhoni asked: “Hello, Mali. How are you?”

Dhoni could have called him “Mali” to refer to his action of bowling like Lasith Malinga. Coincidentally, he became more special for the young man, since the word means brother in his native language.

“It is very familiar to me, because when we are in Sri Lanka, Mali means the younger brother. So that type of legend calls me” Mali “, Wow, that’s so good,” Pathirana explained.

Also read:

Mathsha Patihirana for CSK in IPL

Since its debut in 2022, it has pocketed 32 WICKETS in 20 IPL games to an impressive economy rate of 7.89. Last year, he climbed 13 wickts in just six games and also recorded his best figures in the IPL so far. He took a four Wickt tour against the Mumbai Indians and also became the second highest Wickt player for CSK that season.

For more updates, follow Cricxtey on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and YouTube.