Deep Dasgupta feels that if Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Matheesha Pathirana returns to the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in the future, he would be in high demand.
Given his great performance with the Chennai-based franchise in the ongoing IPL 2023, the former cricketer believes the Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana might earn at least ₹11 crore. He stated that despite being only 20 years old, the teenager has a lot to contribute.
In an interview, the cricketer-turned-commentator stated:
“At least ₹10-11 crore, without a shadow of a doubt. We have seen other seamers going for that and at this point in time, he is the best. He is only 20, so he has got a lot of years in him. But he is not coming.”
Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop emphasised the need of regulating Pathirana’s workload during the same session. He stated that the bowler may pick and choose which cricket he wishes to play, explaining:
“I am just speaking hypothetically. If you are Pathirana, in another world, bowling like this, and you could play in the IPL and you are highly sought out. You have that type of action and a good managing parent, in another world.
“You could really be very choosy for the next 10 years. He doesn’t necessarily need to play all the cricket that will be ahead of him. You could be very choosy and still develop. But keep yourself [fit], and secure your financial future.”
Notably, Pathirana found no bids during the previous edition’s auction. He later joined CSK as Adam Milne’s successor. He has done well for his squad this season, taking 13 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.81.
Deep Dasgupta comments on Matheesha Pathirana’s IPL 2023 campaign
Deep Dasgupta went on to say that while Matheesha Pathirana has excelled with the ball this season, he will only improve with time. He believes that training with CSK bowling coach Dwayne Bravo will be beneficial to the rookie pacer.
“He [Matheesha Pathirana] is different. He brings something very different. We have seen what Lasith Malinga has done over the years, but I’m sure with a year or two and people like Dwayne Bravo working with him, he is going to develop himself, his strength, and other skill sets as well. At this point in time, he is as good as it gets.
“Now it boils down to him and his cricketing IQ, how much he can soak in. Because obviously, he won’t have the same captain and support staff everywhere he goes. I am sure that if he had a decent IQ and cricketing sense, this [CSK camp] is the best school to be in.”
Ian Bishop articulated that MS Dhoni and CSK team management deserve a lot of credit for scouting a talent like Matheesha Pathirana, expressing:
“Credit to MS Dhoni and those guys. The story goes MS saw him in a video, playing cricket in Sri Lanka. That is what good selectors and leaders do. They are visionary and they see what other people don’t see at a certain point in time. Credit has to go out to CSK, MS Dhoni, and whoever spotted him.”
Matheesha Pathirana has established himself as Dhoni’s go-to man in death overs. The seamer has done an outstanding job, bowling the difficult overs with pinpoint precision. On Wednesday, May 10, he took three wickets in the team’s 27-run triumph over the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.