WATCH: Matheesha Pathirana Gets Wicket On The First Ball Of IPL Debut

Making a debut at the highest level is a huge achievement, especially for sportspeople and when it comes against some of the top quality players then it is a dream. For the 19-year-old Matheesha Pathirana, it was a surreal day in his cricket career as he made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings led by MS Dhoni. 

Before this match, Pathirana had only played two T20 games in his career that too for his domestic club. However, he came into the limelight in the recently held under-19 World Cup held. Pathirana's bowling action immediately reminded of Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga. 

Pathirana's slingy action and speed got people gushing over his potential bowling career and CSK got him into the squad at the first opportunity. 

Pathirana was introduced into bowling in the eighth over of the Gujarat Titans' run chase when the openers - Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha - were toying with the CSK bowling. In seven overs, GT's score read 59/0 while chasing a modest total of 134. 

Pathirana ran hard and instantly made an impact as he struck Gill in the front and the umpire had no issue but to adjudge the batter out. Although Gill confidently reviewed the decision hoping that Pathirana's movement and the ball trajectory might be going down the leg but on replays, it was confirmed that the umpire's decision was correct. 

It was a perfect day out for Pathirana as he got a wicket on the first ball of his IPL debut and that too of a classy player like Shubman Gill. Pathirana's dream continued as he also got Hardik Pandya out to claim his second wicket on his IPL debut and finished the match with the figures of 2/24 in 3.1 overs. 

Also Read: IPL 2022 - Scorecard