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{{short description|Sri Lankan cricketer (born 2002)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Matheesha Pathirana
| image =
| full_name = Heenatigala Pathiranage Matheesha Anushal Vihanga Pathirana
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|12|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Kandy]], Sri Lanka
| nickname = Baby Malinga
| death_date =
| death_place =

| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]]
| role = [[Bowling (cricket)|Bowler]]
| country = Sri Lanka
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2022–present
| onetest =
| testdebutdate =
| testdebutyear =
| testdebutagainst =
| testcap =
| lasttestdate =
| lasttestyear =
| lasttestagainst =

| odidebutdate = 2 June
| odidebutyear = 2023
| odidebutagainst = Afghanistan
| odicap = 209
| lastodidate = 10 October
| lastodiyear = 2023
| lastodiagainst = Pakistan

| T20Idebutdate = 27 August
| T20Idebutyear = 2022
| T20Idebutagainst = Afghanistan
| T20Icap = 96
| lastT20Idate = 13 September
| lastT20Iyear = 2025
| lastT20Iagainst = Bangladesh
| club1 = [[Chennai Super Kings]]
| year1 = 2022–2025
| club2 = [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|Nondescripts]]
| year2 = 2022–present
|club3 = [[Colombo Strikers]]
|year3 = 2023–2024
|club4 = [[Desert Vipers]]
| year4 = 2024
|club5 = [[Joburg Super Kings]]
| year5 = 2025
|club6 =
| year6 =

| columns = 4
| column1 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches1 = 12
| runs1 = 11
| bat avg1 = 2.20
| 100s/50s1 = 0/0
| top score1 = 5
| deliveries1 = 508
| wickets1 = 17
| bowl avg1 = 36.23
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 4/32
| catches/stumpings1 = 2/–

| column2 = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
| matches2 = 21
| runs2 = 17
| bat avg2 = 3.40
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 6
| deliveries2 = 392
| wickets2 = 31
| bowl avg2 = 18.25
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 4/24
| catches/stumpings2 = 4/–

| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 2
| runs3 = 15
| bat avg3 = 7.50
| 100s/50s3 = 0/0
| top score3 = 11
| deliveries3 = 150
| wickets3 = 5
| bowl avg3 = 16.00
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 4/46
| catches/stumpings3 = 0/–
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 22
| runs4= 20
| bat avg4= 2.85
| 100s/50s4= 0/0
| top score4= 5[[not out|*]]
| deliveries4 =879
| wickets4 = 28
| bowl avg4 = 36.10
| fivefor4 = 0
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 4/32
| catches/stumpings4= 4/–
| date = 28 September 2025
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/1194795.html ESPNcricinfo
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2022 Asia Cup|2022 UAE]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2023 Asia Cup|2023 Pakistan]]}}
}}
'''Heenatigala Pathiranage Matheesha Anushal Vihanga Pathirana''', popularly known as '''Matheesha Pathirana''' ({{langx|si|මතීෂ පතිරණ}}, {{IPA|si|mat̪iːʃə pat̪irənə|}}; {{langx|ta|மதிஷ பத்திரன}}; born 18 December 2002), is a professional Sri Lankan [[cricket]]er who currently plays limited over internationals for the national team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/1194795.html |title=Matheesha Pathirana |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 August 2021}}</ref> He has been referred to as "Baby Malinga", as he has modelled his bowling action after [[Lasith Malinga]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH:'Baby Malinga' Matheesha Pathirana breaks camera lens with explosive bouncer during CSK net session |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/watch-baby-malinga-matheesha-pathirana-breaks-camera-lens-with-explosive-bounder-during-csk-net-session-article-91666619 |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=TimesNow |date=19 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2022 |title='Big shoes to fill': Next Malinga lights up IPL - and teenage star could take on Aussies next month |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/indian-premier-league/ipl-2022-matheesha-pathirana-compared-to-sri-lanka-legend-lasith-malinga-video-highlights-ms-dhoni-cricket-news/news-story/04a6e4d8b3af1656fd7b8d0dfc4d5c24 |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref>

Prior to his Twenty20 debut, he was part of Sri Lanka's squad for the [[2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-u19-squad-for-2020-u19-cricket-world-cup-announced/ |title=Sri Lanka squad for the ICC U19 World Cup 2020 announced |work=The Papare |date=6 January 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2022, he was named in Sri Lanka's team for the [[2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup]] in the West Indies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2022/01/sri-lanka-u19-team-to-the-world-cup/ |title=Sri Lanka U19 Team to the World Cup |work=Cricket Sri Lanka |date=2 January 2022 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> He was a key member of the Chennai Super Kings team which won the IPL trophy in 2023. He picked 19 wickets in the 2023 edition of the IPL.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-04 |title=MS Dhoni is like my father: Pathirana pays big tribute to CSK icon |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ipl-2025-ms-dhoni-like-my-father-matheesha-pathirana-csk-vs-dc-2704050-2025-04-04 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> He became the youngest foreign player to win an IPL trophy.

== Biography ==
Pathirana was an ardent cricket fan from his schooling days. His parents were both classical musicians as his father Anura Pathirana's voice is often compared to the likes of veteran Indian playback singer [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-04 |title=How Matheesha Pathirana was ace pianist, played baseball because cricket was banned and had his bat burnt by an angry mother |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/ipl/how-matheesha-pathirana-was-ace-pianist-played-baseball-because-cricket-was-banned-and-had-his-bat-burnt-by-an-angry-mother-9924536/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Pathirana too had the thing of music in his blood inherited from his parents when he showed his talent as a skilled pianist at the school level where he was adjudged the best pianist. He also excelled in his music examination conducted at the [[GCE Ordinary Level in Sri Lanka|GCE Ordinary Level]], Pathirana initially found it difficult to process the teaching methods of his music teacher and his voice did not pitch well at occasions, but he eventually mastered the notes.<ref name=":1" />

According to his mother Shalika Pathirana, he even went to the extreme of procrastinating his school homework and also failed to concentrate on his studies, as he was determined to engage in sporting activities, mostly inclined towards cricket. His mother recalled an incident where she apparently became angry and frustrated with him for ignoring education while showing his desire only about cricket, which caused her emotionally upset, and as a result, she burnt his beloved [[cricket bat]] into ashes.<ref name=":1" /> Pathirana's school teacher also complained to his mother that he never showed his attention in the classroom and was distracted by the view of the cricket stadium which was surrounded around the school premises. However, it turned out that his first interest in sport was in [[baseball]] which was quite uncharacteristic and unconventional in a typical Sri Lankan society, as baseball is not an ideal sport to look for there. He started playing baseball at the age of 13, because at his school, the access to cricket facilities was restricted up to a certain level.<ref name=":1" /> However, he changed his mind to choose cricket and started to make progress under the watchful eyes of seniors like former Sri Lankan seam bowler [[Chaminda Vaas]]. He received more fame and recognition when a social media manager Anfal Hanafi went onto upload a video of Pathirana taking 6 wickets which eventually helped him to establish a name for himself and foray into Sri Lankan international cricket.<ref name=":1" />

==Franchise cricket==
In August 2021, he was named in the SLC Greys' squad for the [[2021 SLC Invitational T20 League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-invitational-t20-league-2021-squads-schedule/ |title=Sri Lanka Cricket announce Invitational T20 squads and schedule |work=The Papare |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref> He made his [[Twenty20]] debut on 22 August 2021, for SLC Greys in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1272212.html |title=11th Match, Pallekele, Aug 22 2021, SLC Invitational T20 League |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 August 2021}}</ref>

In April 2022, he was signed by the [[Chennai Super Kings]], as a replacement for [[Adam Milne]] for the [[2022 Indian Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-csk-chennai-super-kings-sign-up-matheesha-pathirana-as-replacement-for-adam-milne-1311741 |title=CSK sign up Matheesha Pathirana as replacement for Adam Milne |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> It was revealed that Pathirana was fast-tracked to the Chennai Super Kings side with the intervention of MS Dhoni for the 2022 season, and Pathirana went onto flourish under the leadership of Dhoni.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-06 |title=MS Dhoni: 'Pathirana shouldn't even get close to red-ball cricket' |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2023-csk-vs-mi-ms-dhoni-matheesha-pathirana-shouldnt-even-get-close-to-red-ball-cricket-1373812 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, Dhoni apparently watched the clips and footage of Pathirana's bowling in a local schools cricket match in Kandy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-20 |title=Matheesha Pathirana: How a viral video caught MS Dhoni's attention and CSK came calling |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/ipl/matheesha-pathirana-how-a-viral-video-caught-ms-dhonis-attention-and-csk-came-calling-8566329/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Dhoni also expressed an interest in wanting Pathirana for the [[2021 Indian Premier League]] and he then wrote a letter asking Pathirana to get vaccinated and join CSK team in the UAE during the peak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name=":0" />

He made his debut against the [[Gujarat Titans]] in 2022 IPL edition.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Next Malinga' in IPL 2022: Know About Matheesha Pathirana Who Dismissed Gill, Pandya on IPL Debut - WATCH |url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/next-malinga-in-ipl-2022-know-about-matheesha-pathirana-who-dismissed-gill-pandya-on-ipl-debut-watch-5179285.html |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=www.news18.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shami and Saha lead the way as Titans ensure top-two finish |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2022-1298423/chennai-super-kings-vs-gujarat-titans-62nd-match-1304108/match-report |access-date=2022-06-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In the very first ball, he took the wicket of [[Shubman Gill]], becoming the first Sri Lankan and ninth overall to achieve the feat in IPL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MS Dhoni: Matheesha Pathirana 'is an excellent death bowler' |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-csk-vs-gt-ms-dhoni-matheesha-pathirana-is-an-excellent-death-bowler-1315140 |access-date=2022-06-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gautam |first=Sonanchal |date=2022-05-15 |title=CSK vs GT: Watch – Matheesha Pathirana Bags His Maiden IPL Wicket On 1st Ball By Dismissing Shubman Gill |url=https://cricketaddictor.com/indian-premier-league-ipl-2022/csk-vs-gt-watch-matheesha-pathirana-bags-his-maiden-ipl-wicket-on-1st-ball-by-dismissing-shubman-gill/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-15 |title='We have got a junior Malinga': CSK debutant breaks the internet after picking maiden IPL wicket with slingy action |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/we-have-got-a-junior-malinga-csk-debutant-matheesha-pathirana-breaks-the-internet-after-picking-maiden-ipl-wicket-101652619918004.html |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> In July 2022, he was signed by the [[Kandy Falcons]] for the [[2022 Lanka Premier League|third edition]] of the [[Lanka Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lpl-2022-draft-kandy-falcons-sign-wanindu-hasaranga-bhanuka-rajapaksa-to-turn-out-for-dambulla-giants-1323338 |title=LPL 2022 draft: Kandy Falcons sign Hasaranga; Rajapaksa to turn out for Dambulla Giants |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref> He became the youngest ever overseas Player to win an IPL tournament as he was part of CSK's triumph at the 2023 IPL. He also ended up 2023 IPL season on a high note by picking up 19 scalps with an economy of 8.01 in 12 matches, and he was used as a canny operator especially in the death overs whereas he rose with a reputation as a vital cog during 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title='You have nothing to worry about': MS Dhoni's heartwarming message to Pathirana's sister on meeting CSK pacer's family |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/you-have-nothing-to-worry-about-ms-dhonis-heartwarming-message-to-pathiranas-sister-on-meeting-csk-pacers-family-101685091530624.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Pathirana himself revealed that he learned the craft and art of playing T20 cricket through the mentorship of MS Dhoni.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title='I was a kid, no one knew me. Dhoni trained me, taught me how to play T20 cricket': Rising pacer Matheesha Pathirana |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/i-was-a-kid-no-one-knew-me-dhoni-trained-me-taught-me-how-to-play-t20-cricket-rising-pacer-matheesha-pathirana-101692187797209.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-04 |title='Dhoni is like my father… my cricketing father': Matheesha Pathirana in CSK documentary |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/dhoni-is-like-my-cricketing-father-matheesha-pathirana-csk-documentary-9925275/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==International career==
In May 2022, he was named in Sri Lanka's [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) squad for their series [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2022|against Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/aus-vs-sl-2022-sri-lanka-call-up-matheesha-pathirana-nuwanidu-fernando-for-t20i-series-against-australia-1317807 |title=Sri Lanka call up Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwanidu Fernando for T20I series against Australia |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> However, he was ruled out due to an injury and did not play the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Suryesh |title=Sri Lanka's Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of 3rd T20I vs Australia; replacements named |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-sl-v-aus-2022-kasun-rajitha-matheesha-pathirana-ruled-3rd-t20i-vs-australia-replacements-named |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-11 |title=Injury rules Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana out of final T20I vs Australia |url=https://www.islandcricket.lk/news/injury-rules-kasun-rajitha-and-matheesha-pathirana-out-of-final-t20i-vs-australia/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Island Cricket |language=en-GB |archive-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210091038/https://www.islandcricket.lk/news/injury-rules-kasun-rajitha-and-matheesha-pathirana-out-of-final-t20i-vs-australia/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2022, he was named in Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the [[2022 Asia Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2022/08/sri-lanka-squad-for-asia-cup-2022/ |title=Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022 |work=Sri Lanka Cricket |date=20 August 2022 |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref> He made his T20I debut on 27 August 2022, against [[Afghanistan national cricket team|Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1327269.html |title=Group B (N), Dubai (DSC), August 27, 2022, Asia Cup |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> In March 2023, he was named in both [[One Day International]] (ODI) and T20I squad for the series [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2022–23|against New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3112790 |title=Sri Lanka name squad for limited-overs leg of New Zealand tour |access-date=22 March 2023 |work=International Cricket Council}}</ref> He made his ODI debut on 2 June 2023, [[Afghan cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2023|against Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1377008.html |title=1st ODI, Hambantota, June 02, 2023, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref> He dismissed [[Rahmat Shah]] to claim his maiden ODI wicket.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Sri Lankan sensation Matheesha Pathirana claims maiden ODI wicket |url=https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/sl-vs-afg-matheesha-pathirana-dismisses-rahmat-shah-to-claim-maiden-odi-wicket-on-debut/ |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=CricTracker |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2023 Sri Lanka Cricket announced their 15-member squad for the [[2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier]]. The national team opted to selected Pathirana in their line-up.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sri-lanka-name-squad-for-icc-odi-world-cup-qualifers-matheesha-pathirana-2390928-2023-06-09 | title=Sri Lanka announce 15-member squad for ICC World Cup Qualifier, include Matheesha Pathirana | date=9 June 2023 }}</ref> During the first T20I [[Afghan cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2023–24|against Afghanistan]], Pathirana delivered a match winning bowling spell where he took 4/24 which included 2 wickets in the penultimate over. Sri Lanka finally won the match by 4 runs, and he adjudged player of match for his performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-2023-24-1416068/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-1st-t20i-1416077/match-report |title=Hasaranga and Pathirana bring a thriller home for Sri Lanka |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2024}}</ref>

In May 2024, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the [[2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka's Squad for ICC Men's T20I World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/sri-lanka-squad-for-icc-t20-world-cup |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cricinfo|id=1194795}}

{{Navboxes
|title= Sri Lanka squads
|bg= blue
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|list1=
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2022 Asia Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2022 Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka 2023 Cricket World Cup squad}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2026 Men's T20 World Cup}}
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{{Kolkata Knight Riders squad}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pathirana, Matheesha}}
[[Category:2002 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers]]
[[Category:21st-century Sri Lankan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Kandy]]
[[Category:Chennai Super Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in India]]
[[Category:Joburg Super Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Kandy]]

Matheesha Pathirana - Revision history

AlfonzoEsh: Created new details