Pathirana’s Malinga-like movement has earned him nicknames comparable to Podi (Minute) Malinga in Sri Lanka and Child Malinga amongst Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters.
Pathirana had a breakout season for IPL champions Chennai Tremendous Kings. He took 19 wickets in 12 fits and used to be the go-to bowler for Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the most important instances.
Time Dhoni is coaching the 20-year-old to be CSK’s designated demise overs specialist, Fassy believes the Sri Lankan cricket status quo will have to deal with him with warning.
“Seeing his action, a lot of people think that he has modelled it after seeing Malinga. Pathirana also trained under Malinga. But he came to me with this action from day one, and we just worked on it a bit, considering it can put a lot of stress on his young body,” Fassy instructed PTI.
Regardless of his burgeoning big name, Pathirana nonetheless seeks recommendation from Fassy, who operates a cricket coaching centre at Trinity Faculty.
Pathirana’s true talent to make era shocked Fassy when he first joined his programme 5 years in the past.
“He (Pathirana) was naturally quick. He did not have to put in a lot of effort to get pace unlike some other boys. On top of it, he was very accurate too as you might have seen while he was bowling in the IPL. He has a fast and accurate yorker that can trouble even the best. His arm speed is just outstanding,” he mentioned.
Fassy warned in opposition to placing too many expectancies at the younger guy.
“He has talent and he will go a long way if supported properly. But he is just beginning, so don’t compare him with legends like Malinga or (Chaminda) Vaas.”
“Let him be his own and allow him to work on his skills and make a mark. He is important for Lanka as we have two World Cups in two years (50-over in 2023, T20 WC in 2024),” he famous.
Eric Simons, the previous Republic of India bowling trainer who lately works in a indistinguishable capability for CSK, used to be additionally inspired.
“I have worked with Pathirana over two seasons (2022, 2023) in the IPL. He has shown tremendous improvement. He is a quick learner. Yes, at times he can be a bit erratic,” the South African instructed PTI.
However what inspired him extra is his temperament, making an allowance for that he’s slightly out of his teenagers.
“But for someone who has started top level cricket a couple of years back, he has shown a good temperament to handle a tough task like bowling at death in T20s. I feel he is going to be a big part of Sri Lanka and CSK for a long time,” Simons mentioned.
With the ODI International Cup temporarily coming near, Sri Lanka is racing in opposition to the clock to have its first-choice bowling unit combat able, as 3 pacers are injured.
Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, and Dilshan Madhushanka were dominated out of the Asia Cup 2023, and the trio is vying for a place within the quadrennial match.
Consequently, Sri Lanka hopes {that a} 20-year-old prodigy will probably be able for a larger position faster instead than then.
“His strength is his unorthodoxy. He has shown that in the IPL, and he has good pace as well. We can gradually hand him more responsibility, and he has a good attitude as well. We are looking at him as a long-term option, and hopefully, he can be someone like (Lasith) Malinga for us,” mentioned Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka.
Former Republic of India skipper Dhoni had recommendation for Sri Lanka cricket status quo throughout the 2023 IPL.
“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,” Dhoni had mentioned.
(With inputs from PTI)
