Lasith Malinga has been a pain for the Chennai Super Kings fans and batters throughout his career. From running through their batting line-up in 2013, to deceiving Shardul Thakur in one of the best IPL Matches till date, he has tormented the Super Kings as many a Mumbai player has done. Now though, the Chennai Super Kings have found their own Malinga, without the curls and hair colors., and he is off to a wonderful start.

Before the IPL, death bowling was a huge concern for the Chennai Super Kings. Without Dwayne Bravo, their death options looked very limited. They started with Deshpande and Hangargeker, then went on to try Magala as well. Matheesha Pathirana though, in all senses was found rather accidentally. After being spotted in the nets, he came in as a replacement for Adam Milne last season.

Skinny and Slingy, Matheesha Pathirana caught Dhoni’s attention early with an incredible yorker to start his IPL Career. In the year gap that came up he went on to grow a touch in muscle, and also experience as he found takers in other leagues and with Sri Lanka as well. This season too, injuries to Chahar, Magala and Stokes left Chennai with few options as Pathirana came into the fray. Matheesha Pathirana though became an instant success.

For a change, a day ago, a slinger in Yellow chose to haunt the team in Blue as Pathirana, with all his variations choked the Mumbai Indians at the death. Bowling all his four overs in the second half of the innings taking three wickets and only conceding fifteen runs. From last season, he went on to show that he has a lot more pace now. So far, he has shown that he has pace, touching 150ks, variations and can bounce batters too, adding to his slingy yorker. His yorker though has bought back Malinga vibes, with Pathirana pinging the base of the stumps, bowling to Nehal Wadhera in the deaths.

CSK’s batters themselves have come out and said that he is a challenge to face, and they generally avoid facing him in the nets. He has earnt Dhoni’s backing, and the execution has been incredible. Similar to Dwayne Bravo, Matheesha Pathirana has shown incredible control over his variations. Unlike Dwayne Bravo though, Matheesha’s action proves to be a difference making him all the more tougher to pick. Bowling with a lower action, batter’s generally end up with a lower reaction time making it tougher for them to adjust to him.

After missing the first four games of this season, Matheesha Pathirana walked in and has proven his worth. His ability though was still a doubt for those outside the Super Kings Camp. His international foray did not start well with Afghanistan picking him with ease at the Asia Cup last season. CSK, and MS Dhoni though, as they did with many players have shown that role clarity can help create gems. In the past they’ve had similar such players make massive marks to start their career, and this season they now found Matheesha Pathirana, and Rahane, who are boosting their form and aspirations as they increase their chances of making it back to their national sides.

He is gathering speed quickly, without being flashy, and with the normal Sri Lankan style of making things happen with a simple smile and calmness. While Pathirana has impressed many, Lasith Malinga in particular has proven to take a liking for him as Pathirana shows that he what it takes to play at the big stage. With three games left, and a potential playoff spot on the line, Matheesha Pathirana has made a huge difference to CSK’s fortunes this season.