'But his consistency, pace makes him special'- MS Dhoni throws in a word of caution to Sri Lanka's rising star after he picks 3-15 against MI

MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians locked horns in the 49th match of the IPL 2023 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. It was a happy homecoming for CSK as they trumped MI by six wickets. Matheesha Pathirana was the star with the ball for CSK as he scalped 3-15 in his four overs. His three victims were Nehal Wadhera, Tristian Stubbs and Arshad Khan.

It was an insipid batting performance from MI which meant that they could score only 139-8 in their 20 overs. N Wadhera was the lone man who showed some resistance with the bat and made 64 off 51 balls with eight fours and two sixes. After the game, MS Dhoni had a message for Pathirana as well as the Sri Lankan management about what they can do to prolong his international career.

He will have to keep an eye on how much he bowls - MS Dhoni on Matheesha Pathirana

"People who don't have very clean (conventional) action, batsmen have a difficult time picking it and when trying to go after the bowler. But his consistency, variation, pace makes him special. What's important is to keep an eye on how much cricket he is playing. I feel he should not play red-ball cricket, not even get close to it.  MS Dhoni said. Not to forget, he's a really young boy. Last time he came, he was very lean but has put on muscle and is stronger. I feel he'll serve for a long time in Sri Lankan cricket but he'll have to keep an eye on how much he bowls,” MS Dhoni added.

Pathirana has modelled his bowling actions on the lines of Lasith Malinga. There are similarities between the two in terms of the slinging action. Sri Lanka have found their next Malinga and they will have take full care of him. Sri Lanka and their production of bowlers with unorthodox anctions is not something new. They have had a lot of bowlers springing up with different actions, over the years.

CSK with the win against MI find themselves placed second on the points table, while CSK will face Delhi Capitals in their next game.