Matheesha Pathirana Biography
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana, a talented cricketer from Sri Lanka, is known for his skills as a right-hand batsman and a right-arm fast bowler. Born on December 18, 2002, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Matheesha has established himself as a death-over specialist in the Sri Lankan national cricket team. Let’s delve into the details of his life and career.
From a young age, Matheesha displayed a passion for cricket. His father, Anura, recalls how Matheesha eagerly awaited his return from work to play cricket together. This early love for the game led him to join his school’s cricket team at Ranabima Royal College. Matheesha also had an inclination towards music and pursued it alongside his cricketing endeavors.
Matheesha Pathirana cricket journey
His cricketing journey took a significant turn when he was selected to represent the Kandy district school team, catching the attention of cricket enthusiasts. Recognizing his potential, Matheesha’s school coach advised his father to enroll him in a cricket academy. Subsequently, he joined the Kettarama fast bowling academy, where he received training from experienced coaches, including Chamila Gamage.
During his time at the Kettarama academy, Matheesha’s talent was noticed by Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lankan fast bowling coach. Vaas suggested enrolling Matheesha in a school in Colombo to further enhance his cricketing skills. Although his father attempted to enroll him at St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, he ultimately joined Trinity College, Kandy. Matheesha represented the Trinity College Under-17 cricket team and continued to play for his school even while being selected for various domestic and international teams.
Matheesha hails from a middle-class family with a strong musical inclination. His father, Anura, is a businessman and a former guitarist for a music band, while his mother played the rhythm guitar in a band. Matheesha has two elder sisters, Vishuka and Tharindi, who are accomplished musicians themselves.
In terms of his physical appearance, Matheesha stands tall at approximately 6’2″, with black hair and black eyes.
Matheesha Pathirana cricketing achievements
Matheesha’s cricketing achievements extend to both domestic and international levels. He made headlines during the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup when he bowled a delivery to Yashasvi Jaiswal at a reported speed of 175 km/h (108 mph). Although it was later revealed to be a technical glitch, this incident highlighted Matheesha’s potential and garnered attention from cricket enthusiasts.
He has represented Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals and One Day Internationals (ODIs). In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Matheesha was signed by the Chennai Super Kings in 2022 as a replacement for Adam Milne. During his IPL debut, he made an immediate impact by dismissing Shubman Gill with his first ball and later taking the wicket of Hardik Pandya. His impressive performances earned him the nickname “Baby Malinga” during the 2023 IPL season.
Apart from his involvement in the IPL, Matheesha has also played in other franchise leagues such as the Lanka Premier League (LPL), T10 League (Abu Dhabi T10), and International League T20 (ILT20).
Matheesha Pathirana’s journey as a cricketer showcases his dedication, talent, and contributions to Sri Lankan cricket. With his skills as a fast bowler and his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, he continues to make a mark in the cricketing world.