MS Dhoni is known for having a unique ability to spot and nurture cricketing talent. Many of India’s top players, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, owe a part of their success to Dhoni’s leadership. Both Kohli and Rohit have openly acknowledged Dhoni’s guidance at critical points in their careers. Kohli received Dhoni’s backing during his early struggles, while Dhoni suggested that Rohit open the innings, which allowed him to shine.
MS Dhoni’s Impact on Cricketers Beyond India
Dhoni’s influence isn’t limited to just Indian cricketers. He has helped several players from different countries make their mark in cricket. One such player is Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana, who found his breakthrough under Dhoni’s mentorship.
Matheesha Pathirana’s Journey to Success
Matheesha Pathirana had little exposure to cricket growing up in a family of musicians. However, his potential was spotted by MS Dhoni, who was immediately impressed by the young pacer’s skills. This led to an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where Pathirana was signed as an uncapped overseas player for Rs 20 lakh. Initially brought in as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne, Pathirana’s career started to take off.
Pathirana’s Growth Under MS Dhoni’s Guidance
Since joining CSK, Pathirana has had the chance to refine his skills under Dhoni’s watchful eye. The young pacer has represented Sri Lanka 31 times in international cricket, building a promising career in both international and franchise cricket.
The Influence of MS Dhoni on Pathirana’s Career
In a video shared by CSK, Pathirana’s parents shared their gratitude for Dhoni’s role in their son’s career. Pathirana himself expressed his deep respect for Dhoni, considering him a father figure in his cricketing journey. Pathirana’s mother expressed her admiration, saying, “No words for MS Dhoni. He is a real God. How Matheesha respects his father, like that, he respects Dhoni.”
Pathirana’s father also shared his feelings, saying, “In Sri Lanka, you are my father, in India, it is MS Dhoni.” Pathirana himself added, “I treat MS Dhoni as my father figure because of what he has done for me in cricket. The support he has given me in cricket is very similar to what my father gave me at home.”
Pathirana’s IPL Success
Pathirana had a breakthrough IPL season in 2023, where he played 12 matches and took 19 wickets. He continued to impress in 2024, picking up 13 wickets in just six games. Overall, Pathirana has played 22 matches for CSK, taking 39 wickets with an economy rate of 7.88. His best bowling performance so far is 4/28.
Chennai Super Kings Squad 2024
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad for 2024 includes the following players:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- Devon Conway
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shaik Rasheed
- Vansh Bedi (wk)
- C Andre Siddharth
- Rachin Ravindra
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Vijay Shankar
- Sam Curran
- Anshul Kamboj
- Deepak Hooda
- Jamie Overton
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
- Ramakrishna Ghosh
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shivam Dube
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Noor Ahmad
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Nathan Ellis
- Shreyas Gopal
- Matheesha Pathirana
