Sri Lanka and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has described MS Dhoni as a father figure in his cricketing career, saying the former CSK captain's little pieces of advice have given him a lot of confidence. The 21-year-old fast bowler made his IPL debut in 2022 and has since become a key cog in CSK's pace attack, including their title-winning campaign last season.
Pathirana said in CSK’s YouTube Lions Up Close:
"After my father, in my cricket life, mostly he (Dhoni) is playing my father's role. He always takes care of me, and gives me some advice on what I have to do - similar to my father when I'm in my home."
Pathirana has had a great IPL 2024 season so far and is the team's second-highest wicket-taker behind Mustafizur Rahman (14) with 13 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 7.68, including a four-wicket haul.
As for Dhoni, he has smashed sixes in the death overs this season at a strike rate of 229.16. Rumours continue to swirl that this could be Dhoni's last season in the IPL, but he is yet to make a formal announcement. But inspired by him, Pathirana has made an emotional plea to Dhoni to continue for at least one more season.
CSK have had a shaky season under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad this season. In ten games, CSK have lost five and won as many to sit fifth on the points table.