Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has a piece of advice to his young Sri Lankan recruit Matheesha Pathirana who has been tormenting batters in slog overs in the ongoing season of Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni doesn't want Pathirana who has a Lasith Malinga-like action to play red-ball cricket.
"People who don't have any clean action, batsmen have a difficult time picking it. But his consistency, pace makes him special," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation after CSK beat Mumbai Indians (MI) by six wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
"I feel he should not play red-ball cricket, not even get close to it, he can play only ICC tournaments. He is young and he would be a great asset for Sri Lankan cricket. Last time he came, he was lean but now he has put on muscle and is stronger."
Pathirana picked up three wickets and conceded just 15 runs from his quota of four overs. He is the highest wicket-taker in death overs this season alongside teammate Tushar Deshpande.
Dhoni also talked about revealed that he wanted to bat first against MI but was outnumbered in the team meeting due to the possibility of rain coming in to play.
"I was doubtful with the decision at the toss, I wanted to bat first but the think tank thought about the rain, I was slightly outnumbered and so we went with the majority.
"If there is some kind of a confusion then we sit and talk about it. I felt the wicket will slow down and that was the reason behind it, and even if rain comes then the majority of the game would have been done," he said.
Dhoni promoted himself up the order to the delight of fans. He finished the run chase with a single in the 18th over off Arshad Khan.
"It was a very crucial game for a simple reason if you see the points table there's a muddle. Last few games the results have not gone in our favour and so it is good to be on the winning side," the 41-year-old added.
With a convincing win over MI, CSK climbed to the second spot on the IPL points table.
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