Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana said legendary MS Dhoni plays a “father's role” in his cricketing life and urged the cricket icon to play another season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The five-time champions will take on Punjab Kings in Dharamshala on Sunday. This will be a crucial match for CSK in terms of their play-off chances. The Yellow Army is fifth in the points table with five wins and five losses, giving them a total of 10 points. On the other hand, PBKS is at the seventh spot with four wins, six losses and a total of eight points. In their previous match, PBKS won by seven wickets against CSK in Chennai on Wednesday.
During CSK's Lions Upclose show, Pathirana said that Dhoni always takes care of him and gives him valuable advice as a cricketer.
“After my father, in my cricketing life, he (Dhoni) mainly plays the role of my father, because he always takes care of me, gives me advice, what to do, similar to my father when I am at home. He just tells little things , but it matters a lot. So those little things I have a lot of confidence in,” said the Sri Lankan pacer.
Pathirana said that even though they don't talk much off the field, he would often go to Dhoni and ask him what he needed.
“Every time he tells me, 'Enjoy your game and take care of your body', Mahi bhai said, if you can play another season, please play with us. When I am here,” he concluded.
After impressing with his swinging action reminiscent of Sri Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga, Pathirana made his debut for Lankan Lions after the IPL 2022. In 12 matches of the IPL 2023, he picked up 19 wickets at an average of 14.63 , with best figures of 3 /15 and played a crucial role in CSK's fifth title win. In the current season, Pathirana has played just six matches due to injury and taken 13 wickets at an average of 13.00, with the best figures of 4/28.
CSK missed the services of Pathirana as he returned to his home country to sort out visa issues ahead of this year's ICC T20 World Cup, which starts in the West Indies/USA from June 1.
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