Matheesha Pathirana is the right handed fast bowler, with the slingy action and the Rising star of Sri Lankan cricket, he has captured the globe’s attention because of his unique style of bowling and raw pace. Often referred to as ‘Baby Malinga’, the lethal fast bowler has picked himself a name in T20 cricket.
Pathirana’s journey from humble beginnings in Kandy to reaching the top as the key man for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL is nothing short of inspirational. His versatility to play good yorkers and his ability to cut it under pressure make him a key part of Sri Lanka’s bright future in international cricket.
In this article, we will discuss Matheesha Pathirana’s profile, age, family, relationship status, bowling type, career stats, net worth and more about his cricket journey.
Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lankan Player) Biography
The fiery young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is generally picked as the next Lasith Malinga for the level of slingy bowling he does. He was born born on 18 December 2002 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. his made his debut on 27 August 2022 against Afghanistan.
Baby Malinga’s deadly yorkers and calm under pressure earned him the nickname. He is on the crest of a wave ridden by MS Dhoni, his ‘cricketing father’ as he rises to become one of the sport’s most exciting fast bowling talents.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Matheesha Pathirana |
| Nickname | Little Slings, Baby Malinga |
| Profession | Cricketer (Bowler) |
| Date of Birth | 18 December 2002 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 23 Years |
| Birthplace | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Batting Style | Right-hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast Bowling |
| Domestic Teams | SLC Greys, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Chennai Super Kings, Kandy Falcons, Bangla Tigers, Desert Vipers |
| T20 Debut | 27 August 2022 vs Afghanistan |
| Jersey Number | #99 (Sri Lanka), #81 & #99 (Franchise Teams) |
| Religion | Buddhism |
Matheesha Pathirana’s Age, Height, and Physical appearance
As of 2025, Matheesha Pathirana is 23 years old, He is a young man who has already made an impression in international and franchise cricket.
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lbs) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Skin Tone | Medium |
| Distinct Feature | Slingy bowling action |
Matheesha Pathirana’s Family Background
In fact, Matheesha Pathirana is from a close and supportive Sri Lankan family. his father Anura Pathirana is a trained vocalist and a musician, His mother name is shalika and she is also a musician by profession. Matheesha also has sister who keeps away from the public eye.
| Relation | Name | Profession |
| Father | Anura Pathirana | Trained vocalist and musician |
| Mother | Shalika | Musician |
| Sibling | One Sister | Unknown |
| Hometown | Kandy, Sri Lanka | Birthplace and early upbringing |
Matheesha Pathirana wife
Matheesha is not married yet, People got confused because on social media he is uploaded wedding photos of his sisters marriage and wishes best fo luck for her happy marriage life.
Matheesha’s Education
Matheesha studied his early education in Ranabima Royal College in Kandy. He failed to obtain a place in St Anthony’s College, Katugastota, and later enrolled himself at Trinity College, Kandy.
He moved to Colombo to enroll in Kettarama Fast Bowling Academy, guided by the coach Chamila Gamage of cherry picker status.
Matheesha Pathirana Cricket Career
Early Cricket Journey
When Matheesha Pathirana was a child, he would play cricket in his house with his father. Formally, he began his route in cricket as a batter and a bowler at Ranabima Royal College and became a fast bowler later on. He then enrolled in the Sri Lanka Under-19 team and appeared during the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Franchise and Domestic Cricket
- SLC Greys (2021 SLC Invitational T20 League)
- Nondescripts Cricket Club
- Kandy Falcons (Lanka Premier League 2022)
- Bangla Tigers (Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021, 2022)
- Desert Vipers (ILT20 2023)
International Career
- T20I Debut: 27 August 2022 vs Afghanistan in the Asia Cup
- ODI Debut: Yet to play
- Test Debut: Yet to play
Matheesha was hauled up for the Sri Lanka team for the 2023 ODI series against New Zealand and he was in the Sri Lanka squad also in the recently concluded ICC U19 World Cup.
Career Statistics:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy Rate | 4-Wicket Hauls |
| ODI | 12 | 17 | 4/32 | 36.23 | 7.27 | 1 |
| T20I | 19 | 30 | 4/24 | 16.13 | 8.44 | 2 |
| First-Class | 2 | 5 | 4/46 | 16.00 | 3.20 | 1 |
| List A | 22 | 28 | 4/32 | 36.10 | 6.90 | 1 |
| T20s | 79 | 112 | 4/20 | 19.16 | 8.25 | 5 |
Indian Premier League (IPL) Performance:
| Season | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy Rate | 4-Wicket Hauls |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | 2/24 | 26.00 | 7.61 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 19 | 3/15 | 19.53 | 8.01 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 13 | 4/28 | 13.00 | 7.68 | 1 |
| Total | 20 | 34 | 4/28 | 17.41 | 7.88 | 1 |
Recent Match Performances:
| Date | Match | Performance | Venue |
| July 15, 2024 | Colombo Strikers vs. Galle Marvels (Lanka Premier League) | 4 wickets for 30 runs | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Pathirana’s consistent performances highlight his potential and growing impact in international cricket.
Interesting Facts About Matheesha Pathirana
- Named ‘Baby Malinga’ on account of his bowling action, which has been likened to that of Lasith Malinga, he is known as a bowler.
- He first was bowled at the fastest-ever delivery claimed during a U19 India match in 2020 before they later discovered it was an elaborate technical glitch.
- Once on an IPL occasion, on one occasion, MS Dhoni gave him a death stare while taking a direct hit.
- As he finds his success in cricket he is still playing the piano and singing in his leisure time.
- His favorite food is pizza.
Matheesha Pathirana Net Worth
| Category | Estimated Amount |
| Net Worth (USD) | $500,000 – $2.23 million |
| Net Worth (INR) | ₹7.4 crore – ₹18.5 crore |
| Monthly Income | ₹8 lakh (approx.) |
| Annual Income | ₹1-2 crore (approx.) |
| IPL Salary (CSK 2024) | ₹20 lakh |
| Endorsements Earnings | Not publicly disclosed |
His income primarily comes from cricket contracts, IPL salary, brand endorsements, and league appearances. However, exact figures may vary based on different assessments.
Matheesha’s Social Media Profiles
One of his active social media accounts is through his cricketing journey highlights shared via Matheesha Pathirana.
- Instagram: @matheesha_pathirana (Followers: 200K+)
- Twitter (X): @Pathirana99 (Followers: 50K+)
Recent News and Controversies
MS Dhoni was furious with Matheesha Pathirana for the latter disrupting his direct throw attempt when the two played against Rajasthan Royals in an IPL match this year in April. Chennai Super Kings retained the services of the bowler for the 2024 IPL season after his somewhat decent performance with the ball.
Conclusion
Matheesha Pathirana was one amongst the few promising fast bowlers out of Sri Lanka, who gained all the limelight due to his very fast bowling pace as well as his unique bowling action. His journey from a young cricket enthusiast to a key player in international cricket and the IPL showcases his dedication and talent. Impressive performances for Chennai Super Kings and Sri Lanka have been making an impact on him. The career is expected to get better and better for Pathirana. An earning and his growing fan base, both of them show a bright future in the upcoming years, so that he is one cricketer to watch in the upcoming years.
FAQs
He bowled out with a knock of 175 km/h during the 2020 U19 World Cup, which was later established to be a technical error.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is the team in which he plays in the Indian Premier League.
He is mentored and coached by Chamila Gamage.
he is Wearing #99 for Sri Lanka and #81 or #99 for his franchise team
He is not but his bowling action is very much a similar counterpart to Malinga’s hence his nickname “Baby Malinga”.
