The former Sri Lankan bowler rejects Dhoni’s advice as well, that Pathirana “shouldn’t even get close” to red-ball cricket.
Lasith Malinga, who is currently a bowling consultant for Rajasthan Royals, has been paying close attention to the matches involving Chennai Super Kings.
In addition to using the same strange round-arm motion that Malinga used to rule the IPL for many years. Matheesha Pathirana, CSK’s death-overs specialist is also in some ways Malinga’s protégé.
In Sri Lanka’s high-performance centre, Malinga has intermittently worked with Pathirana over the past three years and given him career-building advice.
Matheesha Pathirana has taken 15 wickets for CSK in 10 games this season
Malinga offers his opinions on the 20-year-old’s approach and development in this interview with ESPNcricinfo. He vehemently disagreed with MS Dhoni’s assertion that Pathirana “shouldn’t even get close” to red-ball cricket.
Pathirana has 15 wickets for CSK from 10 matches this year. A 7.56 economy rate and has bowled primarily at the end of innings
Malinga on Pathirana-
”His bowling is well in the IPL, but to be ready for international cricket, he needs to refine his technique a bit. In contrast to the IPL this year, international competitions do not allow you to use 12 players”.
”At CSK, he is only employed as a death bowler. But you will undoubtedly need to bowl some powerplay overs if you play for the national team. He needs a swing there, which he currently lacks”.
”His wrist position comes up again. You get a good dip and can swing balls into the ground when your wrists are in that position. However, you won’t swivel the balls. You won’t manage to get the ball to tail into the batter’s legs”.
”He needs bowling intelligence as well because after a few games, the opposition will figure out who you are, and you will need to learn how to survive from that point on”.
”Playing 10 Tests seems to be the best option for that. Building your bowling fitness works like that. I’ve played 30 Tests, which was essential to me developing my bowling fitness for ODIs and T20s. Because you need to maintain your skill over the course of an inning of 25–30 overs to be effective”.
