Matheesha Pathirana believes if Sri Lanka beat India under new coach Gautam Gambhir, it will boost their confidence for next 3 years

SportsTak Desk

UPDATED:Jul 24, 2024 11:28 IST

Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana in action (Getty Images)

Highlights:

Matheesha Pathirana will bowl to Indian batters for the first time in T20Is.

Pathirana credits his success to Chennai Super Kings.

Sri Lanka’s young pacer Matheesha Pathirana is up for the challenge against a new-look T20I side under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Pathirana wants to move on from Sri Lanka's dismal show in T20 World Cup 2024 and is hoping to make a different against a slightly different team combination after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.

“I think it will be a good challenge. India is coming with a new coach and some new players; their combination will be slightly different. But it will be a good challenge for us because they are world champions,” Pathirana was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“We have a very good side and a lot of talent and potential. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well in the T20 World Cup. But if we can win this series, it will be a confidence booster for the next three years,” he added.

ALSO READ: India's T20 World Cup 2007 winner may replace Ashish Nehra as Gujarat Titans' head coach ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction: Report

Pathirana credits CSK for success

Pathirana bagged three wickets from three games in T20 World Cup 2024 as Sri Lanka made an early exit. The 21-year-old credits Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for helping him grow. He also talked about the impact of former CSK skipper MS Dhoni's impact on youngsters like him.

“After my under-19s, I was not in any squads in Sri Lanka. But since my debut for CSK, I got those chances and got selected for Sri Lanka’s main team. Playing for CSK is a gift from God for me. Until I played for CSK, not many people knew me. Sharing the dressing room with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is very special for youngsters like me, especially coming from Sri Lanka,” he said.

ALSO READ: Smriti Mandhana explains why she did not bat against Nepal, says 'The conditions were different and it is always...'

Pathirana’s T20I numbers

Pathirana is set to make his first appearance against India in T20Is. So far, he has played two ODIs against India and remained wicketless. However, the pacer with Lasith Malinga-like bowling action has good numbers in T20Is since making his debut in 2022. He has 14 wickets from ine games including a four-wicket haul against Afghanistan earlier this year at home.

The three-T20I series will begin on July 27 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

MORE ON SPORTS TAK:

'I want to coach down the line, but...': England's World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan reacts to reports of him as next head coach

Mohammed Shami's friend recalls when pacer contemplated suicide around 4 AM, says 'I was on my way to the kitchen when I saw...'