Xtra Time Web Desk: Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana who has an action identical as Lasith Malinga made an impressive debut for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL season. Pathirana dismissed Shubman Gill with his very first delivery in the match against Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede stadium on Sunday.
Pathirana come in to bowl in the seventh over and immediately gave his side the breakthrough with his first delivery, getting rid of GT opener Shubman Gill. Pathirana bowled a fuller delivery that completely foxed Gill. Shubman went for a review, but it was an unsuccessful one. Pathirana also dismissed Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya to finish with figures of 2 for 24 off 3.1 overs.
So, who is Matheesha Pathirana? The young pacer from Sri Lanka was added to CSK’s playing XI in place of his compatriot Maheesh Theekshana. In fact, Pathirana was added as a replacement to the CSK squad after Kiwi speedster Adam Milne had picked up an injury, which saw him ruled out of the season.
The 19 old cricketer from Kandy is yet to play First-Class cricket. He had, however, represented Sri Lanka in the ICC U19 World Cup earlier this year. At the IPL 2022 mega auction, he had registered himself at a base price of Rs 20 lakh and the Chennai franchise signed him for the same as a replacement.