IPL 2024: 'In My Cricket Life, He Plays My Father's Role' - Matheesha Pathirana on CSK Great MS Dhoni

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Chennai Super Kings' baby Malinga - Matheesha Pathirana has labelled veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a father figure in his cricketing life, saying the former skipper's advises have helped him grow as a player.

The 21-year-old slinger made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in 2022 and has since become a vital cog in CSK's pace attack, including their title success last season. Earlier, Dhoni had assured Pathirana is in safe hands.

Ahead of the IPL 2023 final, Dhoni had met with Pathirana's family in Chennai, and the Sri Lankan youngster's sister shared some pictures on her Instagram handle, and wrote a heartwarming post for the former CSK captain.

"Now we are sure that malli is in safe hands when thala said "You have nothing to worry about Matheesha,he's always with me. These moments were even beyond what I had ever dreamt of," Vishuka Pathirana, Matheesha's sister, had posted on Instagram in 2023.

Pathirana has now opened up about the guidance he has received from Dhoni, in CSK's 'Lions up close' show on the franchise's YouTube channel ahead of the IPL 2024 clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

"After my father, in my cricket life, mostly he's (MSD) 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's thing when I'm doing in my home," Pathirana said in the video posted by CSK.

"I think that's enough. He's not telling a lot of things when I'm on the field and off the field. He's just telling me small things, but it makes a lot of difference, and it makes a lot of confidence for me.

"At the moment, he knows how to maintain the players. Off the field, we don't talk much. If I have to ask something from him, definitely, I'd go to him and ask him," he added.

Pathirana, who claimed 19 wickets in the title-winning 2023 season, has enjoyed success even in the ongoing 2024 season, where he has taken 13 wickets in 6 matches, and will look to add to his tally on his return to the side, having missed out due to a niggle in the last outing.

(With PTI inputs)