New Delhi: Team India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni is considered the most successful captain. He has shaped the career of many players. One of them is Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana who presented amazing bowling in the IPL played in the year 2023, after which he was given a chance back by the Sri Lankan national team. Matheesha Pathirana says that MS Dhoni gives so much confidence to his players that they feel that they can do everything.
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Matheesha Pathirana, who has been doing exceptionally well in the Lanka Premier League, said that as a youngster, when someone gives you that kind of confidence, it helps you move forward in your career. Matheesha thanked Dhoni for his guidance and said that ‘a big player like him reposed faith in me, after which I felt that I could do anything at that time’. Not only me but MS Dhoni gave confidence to every player.
Dhoni is very inspiring
Matheesha Pathirana said about the Chennai Super Kings team in IPL 2023 – 5 players of the team were injured, MS expressed confidence in the youth at such a time, which was a big deal. There is a lot to be learned from them. He is very humble, that’s why he is so successful. He is the fittest cricketer at the age of 42. This is something very inspiring.
Why is it called Junior Malinga?
Sri Lankan star bowler Lasith Malinga became famous for his unique bowling action. After him Matheesha Pathirana is now called Junior Malinga in Sri Lanka. This young bowler also bowls like his senior player Lasith Malinga. The action of both is very similar. In a short span of time, this foreign bowler has got huge recognition from IPL.
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Matheesha Pathirana made his IPL 2022 debut for Chennai Super Kings against Gujarat Titans. That season he was able to take only 2 wickets in 2 matches. In the next season 2023, this bowler did wonders. Under the captaincy of Dhoni, Pathirana was covered. He bowled brilliantly in the death overs for his team. Took a total of 19 wickets in 12 matches with an economy of 8. This player had made a special contribution in making Chennai the winner for the 5th time.
Dhoni groomed his career
Matheesha Pathirana is the same bowler on whom his own national team did not show much faith. He made his T20 debut in 2022 against Afghanistan. He was dropped after playing only 1 match. After this Chennai Super Kings trusted this player and his career flourished under Dhoni’s captaincy. It has been seen in many matches of IPL 2023 that MS Dhoni was seen guiding this player during the match. Now he is included in the regular team of Sri Lanka team.
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