IPL 2024: ‘MS Dhoni is like my father in cricket life’, says Matheesha Pathirana
IPL 2024: ‘MS Dhoni is like my father in cricket life’, says Matheesha Pathira
Sri Lankan young seamer Matheesha Pathirana rose to the limelight following his IPL debut with Chennai Super Kings in 2022, coming in as an injury replacement for Adam Milne. MSDhoni’sCSK gave Pathirana a platform to blossom into the cricketer he is today, and the youngster is all but grateful for that. Speaking on the latest episode of‘Lions Upclose’,Pathirana expressed his gratitude to Dhoni, saying the India veteran is like a fatherly figure to him on the cricket field.
Pathirana’sinclusion helped CSK win the IPL last season, picking 19 wickets from 12 matches at an economy of 8.01. Meanwhile, in sixgamesplayed in IPL 2024 thus far, Pathirana has already picked 13 wickets at a better economy of under eight.
Detailing what it means to have Dhoni by his side, Pathirana said how his father takes care of him at home, MSalso ensures Pathirana is in therightspace in IPL.The Sri Lankan seamer added Dhoni generallydoesn’ttalk much during the game but keeps giving him crucial advice off the field.
"After my father, in my cricket life, mostly he (Dhoni) is playing myfather'srole because he is always taking care of me, giving me advice, what I have to do, similar to my father when I am at home,"Pathirana said on the latest episode of'Lions Upclose'.
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"He'snot tellinga lot ofthings when I am on the field and off the field. He tells just small things, but it makes a lot of difference. So those little things, I take a lot of confidence (from),"he continued.
‘He’sapproachable’
Echoing the exact words of countless MS ex-teammates of how approachable the CSK captain is, Pathirana said whenever he needsDhoni’sadvice, he reaches out to him without hesitation.
"Off the field, wedon'ttalk thatmuch;but if I have to ask something from him, definitely I would go to him and ask. Every time heis tellingme,'enjoy your game and take care of your body'."
Meanwhile, as things stand, Chennai is sitting in the fifth spot with five wins and as many losses in IPL 2024.