'Was not in any squads...': Sri Lanka speedster reveals how MS Dhoni's CSK helped him for international debut

Sri Lanka young speedster Matheesha Pathirana lavished praise on Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the upcoming T20I and ODI series against India. The 21-year-old said that he got the international call-up after making his debut for CSK. He also reckoned that playing for Chennai-based franchise in the cash-rich league was a gift from god for him. 

Pathirana made his IPL debut in 2022 for CSK and picked up two wickets in his two outings. After his IPL debut, he got his international cap the same year against Afghanistan. 

"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.

 

Pathirana who is the part of Sri Lanka squad that will feature against India in the three-match T20I series said that facing the T20 World Cup winners would be a good challenge for the side and defeating the Suryakumar-led side will boost their confidence for the next three years. 

"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," said Pathirana.

 

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Pathirana has played nine T20Is for Sri Lanka where he picked 14 wickets at an average of 17.07 and an economy of 8.05. In ODIs he got 17 scalps in 12 outings at an average of 36.23 and an economy of 7.27. This T20I series will be the first assignment for Gautam Gambhir as a head coach for the Indian cricket team. 

 

Sri Lanka's T20I squad against India

 

Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.
 

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