Sri Lankan young pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana has applauded Indian Premier League (IPL) team CSK for changing his career. Notably, Pathirana will be seen in action for his country in the upcoming white-ball series against India beginning on July 27. Recently, Pathirana opened up on his young career and revealed how big a role CSK and MS Dhoni played in transforming his career as well.

However, he made his IPL debut in 2022 and scalped two wickets from two games. Following his IPL debut, he made his international debut the same year as well. Pathirana had a stunning season with the ball in the next edition picking 19 wickets from 12 matches which came at an average of 19.53. He further claimed 13 wickets from six games in the 2024 edition at an average of 13 as well.

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“After my under-19s, I was not in any squads in Sri Lanka. But since my debut for CSK, I got those chances and got selected for Sri Lanka’s main team. Playing for CSK is a gift from god for me. Until I played for CSK, not many knew me. Sharing the dressing room with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially coming from Sri Lanka,” Pathirana said on Sportstar.

“I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming 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 side and a lot of talent and potential. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in the T20 World Cup. But if we can win this series, it will be a confidence booster for the next three years,” again said Pathirana.

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In the nine T20Is he has played so far, Matheesha Pathirana has taken 14 wickets from nine matches which came at an average of 17.07 and an economy of 8.05. In ODIs, he has 17 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 36.23 and an economy of 7.27 as well.