Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana was always destined to capture the imagination of the cricketing world. Soon after Lasith Malinga’s retirement, another Sri Lankan pacer emerged with a slinging action, inevitably drawing the spotlight.

Fondly nicknamed 'Baby Malinga', Pathirana always had the potential to make a name for himself. His execution and control from an unorthodox arm angle made him a dangerous and attacking bowler at all levels. He was selected for Sri Lanka's U-19 World Cup squad in 2020, where he took 7 wickets in 4 matches. For batters unfamiliar with his unique style, Pathirana's low arm angle and explosive delivery motion posed a significant challenge. Coupled with his ability to deliver yorkers with late movement, he proved to be a formidable weapon.

These attributes stood out when Pathirana was drafted into the Chennai Super Kings lineup in 2022 after catching the eye of scouts and MS Dhoni, despite his minimal senior professional experience. Although he only played two games that season as a replacement player, his impact was immediate. In his very first IPL delivery, he trapped Shubman Gill plumb in front of the stumps, marking a notable debut.

Pathirana soon made his full international debut for the Sri Lankan team, playing against Afghanistan in 2022 in Dubai. He continued to showcase his skills in domestic and franchise leagues worldwide, but his true breakthrough came in the following IPL season.

Establishing himself as a frontline bowler for CSK alongside compatriot Mahesh Theekshana, Pathirana excelled as the men in yellow clinched the 2023 IPL title. As their death-overs specialist, the young bowler took 19 wickets in 12 matches, including 4 wickets in 2 playoff games. His standout performance of 3 for 17 earned him the Man of the Match award against Mumbai Indians, the team once associated with the original Malinga.

Often utilised in the latter stages of the innings, Pathirana's lethal yorker became a key asset, especially as batters struggled to read his deliveries. His form continued into the IPL 2024, where he claimed 13 wickets in six matches. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury cut his tournament short, and CSK couldn't secure a playoff spot without his crucial death bowling.

In his young international career, Pathirana has taken 19 wickets in 12 T20Is at an average of 15.53, including a four-wicket haul against India in a recent T20I series. He has also made his way into the ODI setup, although his unique bowling action is managed carefully.

‘Baby Malinga’ has big shoes and a big name to fill. As Sri Lanka cricket looks for its next big star to elevate the country back to the top, players like Pathirana might be the x-factor needed to return them to the highest stage and biggest games.

Get all the latest cricket updates and insights at Crickit, your go-to destination for everything cricket. From live match coverage to in-depth analysis and the most recent news about your favourite teams and players, Crickit offers an unparalleled cricket experience.