Pathirana Jersey Number: Breaking into the world of contemporary cricket, some young and raw talents have stolen the limelight with a distinct ‘manor’ of playing. Matheesa Pathirana, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, is one such example. Nicknamed “Baby Malinga” for his slingy action, which resembles that of Lasith Malinga, Pathirana has shot up through the ranks in world cricket.
And one of the most searched facts about him is his jersey number, a factor that generally serves to connect fans emotionally with their favourite cricketers. In this post, we will take a look at everything about Pathirana’s jersey number, its meaning, his childhood days; international &IPL career stats and achievements.
Who is Matheesa Pathirana?
Matheesa Pathirana is a Sri Lankan cricketer who became known for his bizarre bowling action. Born on December 18, 2002 in Kandy, Sri Lanka Pathirana began playing the game at an early age.377Chelsea’s global fanbase are clearly keeping themselves busy enjoying the club trademark Is Malinga a bowling machine?
He played domestic cricket before his international debut for Sri Lanka. He shot to prominence after he played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pathirana Jersey Number in IPL and International Cricket
But the country carries plenty of meaning for his fans, including for that shirt number Pathirana position.
Matheesa Pathirana sports the number 99 in both international games and IPL.
Pathirana Jersey Number Information
| Team | Format | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka National Team | ODI / T20I | 99 |
| Chennai Super Kings (IPL) | T20 (IPL) | 99 |
The 99 represents the brashness and boldness with which he plays. It represents self-belief, aggressiveness and never-say-die attitude — the same way Pathirana approaches his game.
Early Life and Education
Matheesa Pathirana Matheesa Pathirana was born and raised in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He went to Trinity College, Kandy, a prestigious school that has had several national cricketers. Pathirana has always been a natural speedster, even from his tender days.
By the age of 17, he was already being likened to Lasith Malinga because his action is that of an exact slingy action bowler. His school cricket performances established him as a star in local cricket tournaments and soon he was getting selected into youth national teams.
Domestic and International Debut
Pathirana started his professional career when he played for the Sri Lanka U-19 team. His outstanding performances in the formative years led him to senior domestic cricket.
- Debut List A: Nondescripts Cricket Club v Colombo Cricket Club at Colombo (PSS), 01 Dec 2019
- T20 Debut: || March 2021 – SLC Invitational T20 League
- International Debut: August 2022 v Afghanistan (T20I)
He has been a trump bowler for the Sri Lankan side since his debut, and is frequently picked over in death overs owing to his deadly yorkers and array of variations.
Pathirana in IPL: Journey with Chennai Super Kings
A pivotal moment in Pathirana’s career was when he was picked up as a replacement player in the IPL early 2022 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Under MS Dhoni, Pathirana blossomed and was an important piece of the CSK bowling pie.
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Key Moments in Pathirana’s IPL Career:
- Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Jersey Number: 99
- Bowling Style: Right-arm fast (slinging action)
- IPL Debut: 2022
- Best Figures: 3/15
- Notable For: Lethal yorkers, pace and accuracy
His performance was particularly notable in IPL 2023, He made important contributions with the bat and helped CSK win important games. He soon became known as “Dhoni’s Death-Over Specialist.”
Why is Pathirana Nicknamed “Baby Malinga”?
Pathirana, bowls very similarly to the action used by Lasith Malinga who is arguably one of the best fast bowlers in cricket history. This similarity, along with his prowess to bowl deadly accurate yorkers at a speed reading of 145 kmh+, made fans and commentators call him “Baby Malinga.”
Even Malinga had some good words for Pathirana telling that he finds himself in a younger version of his life when he sees the young Sri Lankan. It’s a tribute but also motivates me to do well and live up to his legacy,” said Pathirana.
Pathirana’s Bowling Style and Speed
Matheesa Pathirana: His unconventional side-arm action makes him an utility bowler who can always be a step ahead of other bowlers. His balls have a tendency to late dip and is a hard pill for batsmen to read.
Key Features of His Bowling:
| Bowling Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Bowling Speed | 140–148 km/h |
| Bowling Arm | Right-arm fast |
| Special Delivery | Yorker |
| Action Type | Slinging (low-arm) |
| Role | Death-over specialist |
He is hard to read when he darts the ball in and out and has a lethal trajectory, especially in T20 cricket.
Pathirana Career Stats (As of 2025)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 10 | 17 | 4/32 | 21.8 | 5.6 |
| T20I | 15 | 23 | 3/15 | 19.9 | 7.2 |
| IPL | 20 | 28 | 3/15 | 18.5 | 7.9 |
These numbers underline Pathirana’s steadiness and effectiveness with death-over bowling for both Sri Lanka as well as CSK.
Achievements and Awards
After all, Pathirana is quite a sensation himself at this tender age in the Eelam cricketing arena.
Notable Achievements:
- Sri Lanka player in ICC Tournaments.
- He won 2023 IPL with the Chennai Super Kings.
- Selected as one of the rising bowlers in 2023 IPL.
- Has one of the best death-over economy rates for young bowlers.
Pathirana does not stop developing, and he is poised to become one of the best pacers for Sri Lanka in future.
Pathirana’s Role in the Future of Sri Lankan Cricket
Amid a rebuilding process of Sri Lanka’s side, Pathirana has emerged as a beacon for his fans and the selectors. At his young age, the kid is very talented and performs under pressure, making him an asset to the national side.
Pathirana, however, has been identified to be capable of threatening the best lineups in world cricket and most agree that if he is nurtured properly and given enough playing time, the young fast bowler could go on to become as a feared a paceman as his idol Lasith Malinga.
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Lesser-Known Facts About Pathirana
- First player born in the 2000s to play a T20I for Sri Lanka.
- He was inspired by the anti-infiltrator Lasith Malinga,one whom he met at a coaching camp.
- He was originally a batsman who later turned to bowling because of his natural sling action.
- Known for his levelheadedness, and the way he put in the work both on and off the field.
- He played first ip against Gujarat Titans where he took wicket of his very 1st over.
Pathirana’s Jersey Number Meaning
The No 99 in Pathirana’s jersey isn’t just a set of numbers — that’s his name as a cricketer. Most players have chosen their numbers for reasons other than abstract visualization.
For Pathirana, number 99 symbolizes:
- Faithless: Always on the offensive, never on the defensive.
- Confidence: A tall fielder (top) takes on the best batsmen.
- Continuity: Filling in for Malinga, in style.
Conclusion
A number 99 Jersey Holder Matheesa Pathirana, has already made his foot prints in both of the SL and IPL cricket. His pace and control of the ball is outstanding, and he has as cool a head on his shoulders as anyone in world cricket at present.
With enough experience to learn the finer points of captaincy from mentors and skippers like MS Dhoni – Pathirana’s is an expedited path that will certainly rev up cricketers of his generation. His Pathirana 99 jersey number will always be synonymous with power, precision and potential.
FAQs About Pathirana jersey number
Q1. What is Pathirana’s jersey number?
Ans. His official playing jersey numbers are 99 as well for Srilankan national side and Chennai Super Kings.
Q2. Why does Pathirana’s name is “Baby Malinga”?
Ans. He is nicknamed “Baby Malinga” for his resemblance to Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga’s ‘slingy’ bowling action.
Q3. For which IPL team does Matheesa Pathirana play?
Ans. He represents Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League.
Q4. What is Pathirana’s bowling speed?
Ans. He bowls at a speed of 140 to 148 km/h.
Q5. What is Matheesa Pathirana net worth 2025?
Ans. His approx net worth is 3.5 crore Indian Rupees.
