Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga appreciated the execution by Matheesha Pathirana in the death overs in the CSK v RCB game on Monday.

Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga lavished praise on his junior counterpart Matheesha Pathirana after the latter’s incredible effort in the death took the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) past the finishing line against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.

“Impressive stuff Matheesha. Loved the way you handled the pressure at the death. Excellent execution,” Malinga wrote on Twitter after Pathirana conceded only 14 in the 18th and 20th overs combined to put breaks on what appeared to be a definite onslaught from RCB at one point in time.

Pathirana replied with a picture of Malinga training him and quipped, “Thank you Legend. Keep supporting like you always do.”

Pathirana conceded 42 in his two overs and took the crucial wickets of Shahbaz Ahmad and Suyash Prabhudesai in the 18th and the 20th overs respectively. He came back from an expensive opening spell to execute his plans to perfection and hold the RCB from rounding off an impressive victory.

The home team needed just 36 off the last 20 deliveries with six wickets in hand but they stumbled towards the end courtesy some excellent death bowling by Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande.

Dhoni on Pathirana and Deshpande

“It is a difficult one for the youngsters, especially at this time of the year with the dew around. But they are working hard. Bravo is one of the specialists. Under him, the bowlers will gain confidence. It’s a team game. The coach, the bowling coach and the senior players guide them,” CSK captain MS Dhoni spoke about the death bowling skills of his inexperienced pacers in the aftermath of the game.

Pathirana joined the CSK squad late as he was engaged in Sri Lanka’s tour to New Zealand and then was infected with Covid-19. However, his return holds positive signs for CSK as leaking runs towards the backend of the innings is something they need to wary of whilst entering the middle phases of the tournament.