Matheesha Pathirana has rapidly established himself as one of the most distinctive T20 bowlers in world cricket. At just 23, he has already featured in over 100 T20 matches as is known to be a T20 specialist. Often associated with Lasith Malinga’s school of fast bowling, Pathirana’s slingy, low-arm action makes him a difficult bowler to line up, particularly in the slog overs. His ability to nail yorkers and vary his pace gives him a significant edge in high-pressure situations. He began his TATA IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2022 and quickly became a key figure in their setup. His impact peaked during their title-winning 2023 campaign, where he picked up 19 wickets and emerged as a go-to option in crunch moments. Over four seasons with CSK, Pathirana built a reputation as a dependable death bowler. Released ahead of the 2026 auction, he attracted significant interest, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing him for a whopping INR 18 Crore.