Lasith Malinga takes dig at Ms Dhoni on Matheesha, the previous Indian captain’s comments on the emerging Sri Lankan cricketer Matheesha Pathirana.
Matheesha Pathirana, the 20-year-old bowling sensation for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts with his impeccable accuracy and precision. Bearing an action reminiscent of Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, Pathirana has emerged as a death bowling specialist for his team, earning accolades and turning heads in the competition. However, the debate on whether he should venture into red-ball cricket has taken centre stage, with MS Dhoni, CSK’s influential skipper, and Malinga sharing opposing views.
Lasith Malinga takes dig at Ms Dhoni on Matheesha
In a recent match-winning performance against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, Pathirana’s exploits caught the attention of the cricketing world. Dhoni, in an on-air conversation, advised the young bowler against pursuing red-ball cricket, citing concerns over potential injuries. Dhoni’s remarks stemmed from a genuine worry that Pathirana’s unorthodox action and demanding workload could lead to injury troubles. The former Indian captain suggested that Pathirana should focus on ICC tournaments, such as T20 and ODI World Cups, and prioritise his participation in the T20I setup for Sri Lanka.
However, this didn’t go well. Lasith Malinga takes dig at Ms Dhoni on Matheesha. Malinga, currently the fast bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has expressed his disagreement with Dhoni’s viewpoint. He believes that assumptions regarding injury risks should not be made without concrete evidence.
Malinga, drawing from his extensive experience, highlighted his successful career, which included playing red-ball cricket between 2004 and 2010, alongside numerous appearances in the IPL, Big Bash, and other leagues. Lasith Malinga takes dig at Ms Dhoni on Matheesha, emphasizing that throughout his career, he never left the field due to injuries related to his unique bowling action. Malinga argues that Pathirana’s potential injuries should not be assumed and that playing red-ball cricket would offer invaluable opportunities for skill development and setting up dismissals.
The discussion surrounding Pathirana’s future in red-ball cricket raises questions about workload management for fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah’s injury concerns due to a stress fracture in his back serve as a prime example of the challenges faced by pace bowlers. As a young talent, Pathirana’s well-being would heavily depend on how Sri Lanka Cricket manages his workload, especially considering the packed international calendar ahead. With only one T20I appearance for Sri Lanka, Pathirana could be a strong contender for his ODI debut, particularly with the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled in India.
For more, check out Lasith Malinga takes dig at Ms Dhoni on Matheesha.
Get IPL 2023 Live Score along with Points Table & Schedule Updates at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
