Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has recently praised a young cricketer from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), stating that if he were to go into the IPL auction right now, he could fetch a huge amount. CSK continued their winning streak in the IPL 2023 on May 10, defeating Delhi Capitals by 27 runs.
Chennai Super Kings seems to have found a winning combination in the past few games and are now on the verge of qualification in the 2023 edition of the IPL. With their openers performing well at the top, Shivam Dube providing quick runs in the middle, and MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja finishing the innings off, they have found a solid batting lineup. Moreover, with Matheesha Pathirana, they also have a reliable death bowler after the spin trio chokes the opposition in the middle overs.
Pathirana, who joined CSK as a replacement player at his base price of INR 20 Lakh last year, has been exceptional for the team. Pathirana is bowling the tough overs and acing every challenge at the death with his unconventional action, high pace, variation, and consistency, helping CSK save some crucial runs and get important breakthroughs. Pathirana’s abilities indicate that CSK may have found their death bowling solution for the next decade, with Pathirana being only 20 years old.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Dasgupta said that with the bowling action and the ability Pathirana has got, he will be highly sought after in the coming years and could secure his future by being very choosy with his career. He added that if Pathirana were to go into an auction, he could easily fetch INR 10-11 crore with his form and ability.
Pathirana has taken 13 wickets in 8 matches for CSK so far, at an economy of 7.81 and an average of 18, while taking a wicket every 14th ball. After he won his first Player of the Match award against the Mumbai Indians in the previous game, Dhoni heaped huge praise on Pathirana, stating that “All of it makes him special. What is important is to keep an eye on how much cricket he is playing.”