Matheesha Pathirana is one of the most exciting young cricketers from Sri Lanka. People call him “Baby Malinga” because his bowling action looks just like the great Lasith Malinga. With his sling-arm style and deadly yorkers, he has already become a fan favorite in international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Let’s learn everything about Matheesha — from his early life, age, and height to his cricket journey, family, girlfriend, and controversies. This is the full story of a rising star who bowls with fire and dreams with heart.
Quick Info Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matheesha Pathirana |
| Nickname | Baby Malinga |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 2002 |
| Age | 22 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Role | Fast Bowler |
| National Team | Sri Lanka |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Education | Trinity College, Kandy |
| Relationship | Not confirmed |
| Siblings | One sister |
| Known For | Sling bowling, deadly yorkers |
| Controversies | Minor fitness talks, no major issue |
Early Life of Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana was born on December 18, 2002, in Kandy, a beautiful city in Sri Lanka. His childhood was full of energy, sports, and smiles. From a young age, he loved cricket more than anything. He used to play cricket in the streets with friends and even broke a few windows! His parents saw his passion and never stopped him.
Matheesha went to Trinity College, Kandy, a well-known school that helped him become a better cricketer. He started playing school-level matches and impressed everyone with his unusual bowling style. His action was not like other fast bowlers — it was different, fast, and hard to read.
At first, people laughed at his action. But his coaches saw something special. They told him, “Your style is rare, don’t change it.” Matheesha listened and kept working hard every single day. He started getting attention not just in school but also in cricket clubs and tournaments across Sri Lanka.
Matheesha Pathirana Height and Body Stats
Matheesha Pathirana stands about 5 feet 11 inches tall (180 cm). He has a strong, athletic body that helps him bowl fast with power. His long arms and strong shoulders are perfect for his sling-style action. Even though he’s young, he trains hard to stay fit and ready.
He works out daily, does strength training, runs regularly, and eats healthy meals. His coaches say that he takes fitness very seriously and knows that fast bowling needs a strong body and sharp mind.
Age of Matheesha Pathirana
As of 2025, Matheesha is 22 years old. Even at this young age, he has already played for Sri Lanka and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Most players start their careers in their mid-20s, but Matheesha broke into the scene as a teenager.
He still has a long journey ahead, and fans believe he can become one of the world’s best fast bowlers if he keeps going like this.
Family Background: The People Behind His Success
Matheesha comes from a sweet and supportive family. His parents always gave him full freedom to follow his dream. They never forced him to become a doctor, engineer, or businessman. Instead, they supported him in cricket, which is rare in many families.
His mother is very caring and keeps him grounded. His father helped him reach practice grounds and matches even when he had work. Matheesha also has a sister, and the two share a very close bond. He often shares pictures with his family on social media, showing how much he loves them.
He once said in an interview, “Whatever I am today, it’s because of my parents. They believed in me when no one else did.”
Cricket Career: From Sling-Style Mystery to CSK Star
● Under-19 Star
Matheesha made headlines during the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2020. His action caught the eyes of cricket lovers around the world. He bowled yorkers, bouncers, and slower balls — all with the same sling-arm speed. That’s when people started calling him “Baby Malinga.”
● IPL Breakthrough with CSK
In 2022, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) picked him for the IPL. Fans of CSK, especially those who loved Lasith Malinga, were excited. Matheesha did not disappoint. He bowled amazing yorkers at the end of matches and helped CSK win close games. MS Dhoni, CSK’s captain, trusted him with tough overs, which shows how good he is.
In IPL 2023 and 2024, he became CSK’s top death-over bowler. He took big wickets and showed the world that Sri Lanka had found another special pacer.
● Playing for Sri Lanka
Matheesha made his T20I debut for Sri Lanka in 2022 and soon got a chance in ODIs too. He took wickets with his unique bowling and helped Sri Lanka win several T20 matches. His biggest strength is bowling toe-crushing yorkers, even under pressure.
His bowling average is improving, and he’s becoming a regular member of Sri Lanka’s limited-over squads.
Why People Call Him “Baby Malinga”
People started calling Matheesha “Baby Malinga” because his bowling action looks just like Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan fast-bowling legend. Both bowl with a low arm, almost like they are throwing the ball under the shoulder.
But Matheesha has added his own twist. He bowls with more speed and better bounce. Even though he respects Malinga a lot, he wants to create his own name. He once said, “Malinga is my idol, but I want people to know me as Matheesha.”
Relationship Status: Does Matheesha Have a Girlfriend?
Matheesha Pathirana is a rising cricket star, and many fans want to know about his personal life, especially if he has a girlfriend. As of now, Matheesha has not publicly confirmed any relationship. He likes to keep his personal life private and focuses more on his cricket.
There are no photos, videos, or posts on social media that show he is dating anyone. He says, “Cricket is my only love for now.” So, it seems that Matheesha is single and fully focused on his career.
Controversies: Any Problems So Far?
Matheesha Pathirana has stayed away from big controversies. He is a calm, disciplined player who respects his teammates and coaches. However, there have been small issues related to fitness concerns.
In one season, he missed a few matches due to a shoulder injury. Some fans questioned whether he was fit enough for long tours. But he worked hard, recovered well, and came back stronger. His dedication to training proved that he wants to play for many years.
Apart from that, he has not been involved in any fights, bad behavior, or off-field problems. He is known as a humble, hardworking young man.
Achievements and Memorable Moments
Even at a young age, Matheesha has achieved a lot:
- Played in the Under-19 World Cup for Sri Lanka.
- Became a star bowler for Chennai Super Kings in IPL.
- Took important wickets in T20 matches for Sri Lanka.
- Bowled deadly yorkers and won tough matches for CSK.
- Gained love and respect from legends like MS Dhoni.
Many believe that if he keeps working hard, he will become one of the world’s top T20 bowlers.
Interesting Facts About Matheesha Pathirana
- His bowling speed touches 150 km/h at times.
- He loves watching fast-bowling videos in his free time.
- He enjoys traveling and trying new food when on tour.
- His favorite bowler (no surprise!) is Lasith Malinga.
- He enjoys listening to music and chilling with teammates.
Future Plans and Goals
Matheesha wants to become Sri Lanka’s number one fast bowler. He also dreams of winning the T20 World Cup for his country. He is learning how to bowl better in all types of conditions — slow pitches, bouncy tracks, and flat decks.
He is also improving his batting so that he can become a bowling all-rounder in the future.
With support from coaches, family, and fans, Matheesha’s goal is clear — to give his 100% and take Sri Lankan cricket to the top again.
