- CSK’s Matheesha Pathirana is rumored to have been approached by another IPL franchise.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Matheesha Pathirana has stirred the cricket world with a cryptic social media post amidst swirling rumors of interest from another Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise. The 20-year-old Sri Lankan, who recently secured his retention by CSK for the upcoming IPL 2024 season, shared a powerful message on his Instagram story: “No money can buy loyalty.”
This enigmatic post comes in the wake of Pathirana’s exceptional performance in the 2023 IPL season, where he played a pivotal role in CSK’s triumph. The speedster claimed an impressive 19 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 8.00, showcasing his prowess as a death bowler. Despite facing a setback with a shoulder injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pathirana’s resilience was evident as he managed to bag 11 wickets in six matches during the 2023 Asia Cup.
The loyalty displayed by Pathirana towards CSK echoes beyond the cricket field, as he recently expressed solidarity with the people of Chennai during the floods. In a heartfelt message on social media, he urged everyone to stay safe indoors, emphasizing the city’s strength in overcoming challenges.
He wrote on X:
Sri Lanka’s assistant coach for the 2023 World Cup, Naveed Nawaz, attributed Pathirana’s growth to his experiences with CSK in the IPL. Nawaz acknowledged the influence of playing under the leadership of seasoned campaigner MS Dhoni, stating, “IPL opportunities have helped him mature his game. At 18-19, he got to play under a captain like MS Dhoni. I am sure that Matheesha would have learned a lot from him about handling pressure and being in the center during big CSK games.“
Nawaz further emphasized the early identification of Pathirana’s talent and the role CSK played in nurturing it. “We identified him at an early age, CSK saw something in him and picked up, but there is a contribution of them as well,” he added.
In the midst of speculation and potential offers from other franchises, Matheesha Pathirana’s message resonates loud and clear – loyalty cannot be bought, and his commitment to CSK remains unwavering.
