Matheesha Pathirana, a young pacer from Sri Lanka, credits his success and rise to fame to his time with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After being picked as a replacement player for an injured player in the IPL 2022 edition, Pathirana impressed the CSK management with his slingy action and eventually made his debut for the national team in both T20Is and ODIs. With 17 ODI and 14 T20I wickets to his name, Pathirana has shown incredible potential and is now a key player for Sri Lanka's cricket team.
Matheesha Pathirana, a young and talented Sri Lankan pacer, has emerged as a promising prospect in the cricketing world. His rise to fame can be largely attributed to his successful stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pathirana, who hails from Matugama, Sri Lanka, began his cricketing journey at a young age. His exceptional bowling skills earned him a spot in the Sri Lankan Under-19 team in 2019. However, his breakthrough came when he was selected as a replacement player for an injured player in the IPL 2022 edition.
Despite being a late addition, Pathirana impressed the CSK management with his unique slingy action and ability to generate genuine pace. He made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings and quickly became a fan favorite with his aggressive bowling.
Pathirana's performances caught the attention of the Sri Lankan selectors, who included him in the national team for both T20Is and ODIs. He justified their decision with some impressive displays, showcasing his ability to trouble batters with both pace and variety.
Pathirana has now established himself as a regular member of the Sri Lankan cricket team, playing a crucial role in their bowling attack. He has taken 17 wickets in ODIs and 14 in T20Is, demonstrating his versatility across formats.
His outstanding performances have made him one of the most promising young pacers in the world. Experts believe that Pathirana has the potential to become a genuine match-winner for Sri Lanka on the international stage.
How did Matheesha Pathirana get into the Chennai Super Kings?
What is unique about Pathirana's bowling action?
What impact did the IPL have on Pathirana's career?
What are Pathirana's strengths and weaknesses as a bowler?
What are the expectations for Pathirana's future?
India's Abhishek Sharma put on a thrilling display of hitting as he scored a 17-ball half-century against England in the fifth and final T20I in Mumbai. He fell just short of equalling Rohit Sharma's record of being the fastest Indian to score a T20I ton by two balls. Rohit had hit a 35-ball century in 2017. Abhishek also shared a 115-run partnership with Tilak Varma and ultimately finished with a breathtaking 135 off 54 balls, helping India reach their highest-ever score in the powerplay in this format with 95 runs.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly came out on top in a heated match against Manchester City, who had previously mocked him in September. The young left-back not only scored a goal but also imitated Haaland's infamous celebration during the game. This win for Arsenal not only proved their dominance on the pitch, but also showed that even the biggest names in football can be humbled.
In a thrilling showdown between two of India's top chess prodigies, R. Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious over D. Gukesh in the tiebreaks to claim the Tata Steel Masters 2025 title. The 14-year-old only needed a draw in the final round to secure the win, as another co-leader, Gukesh, suffered a loss to Arjun Erigaisi. With this win, Praggnanandhaa continues to make waves in the world of chess and solidifies his position as one of the country's top chess players.
Arsenal dealt a huge blow to struggling champions Manchester City with a sensational 5-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were in top form, with goals from Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri securing a dominant win. This impressive performance by Mikel Arteta's side brings them within six points of league leaders Liverpool. Declan Rice was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional performance in midfield.
In a shocking turn of events, Arsenal defeated Manchester City for the first time ever at the Emirates Stadium. It took over 30 seasons, 12,000 games, and countless players for this historic moment to happen. Despite an early lead from City's star striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal dominated the second half, with a stunning goal from Kai Havertz sealing the victory. This unexpected result has left fans questioning the ongoing struggles of Manchester City and whether Arsenal can continue their impressive form.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland gets a taste of his own medicine as Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly scores and mimics the Norwegian's infamous celebration in their team's 5-1 victory. During their first meeting in September, Haaland had taunted the Arsenal youngster but in their latest match, it was Lewis-Skelly who had the last laugh with his impressive performance. The Gunners' win against City also solidified the "bad blood" between the two sides.
Bukayo Saka showed his dedication and support for his Arsenal teammates as they secured a thrilling 5-1 victory over Manchester City in Sunday's Premier League clash. Despite not being involved in the match due to an ongoing injury, Saka was present at the Emirates Stadium to witness the Gunners' impressive performance. After the final whistle, the England international was seen on the touchline, congratulating his colleagues and cheering them on from the sidelines. This win allows Arsenal to maintain their six-point lead over Liverpool in the Premier League table, with a game in hand.
Abhishek Sharma's stunning performance at the Wankhede stadium drew thunderous cheers from the crowd as he hammered the fastest T20I century in Indian cricket history. His 54-ball 135 helped India post a mammoth total of 247 for 9, and England could only manage 97 runs in response. Sharma's exquisite stroke-making left the English bowlers helpless, as he churned out one boundary after another. With this victory, India sealed the series against England, and fans couldn't get enough of Abhishek Sharma's batting heroics that will be remembered for years to come.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, addressed the press after his team's heart-stopping victory against Manchester City in the Premier League. The match saw early goals from Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, followed by an equalizer from Erling Haaland. But Arsenal's determination prevailed as they scored two more goals through Thomas Partey and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while also denying Havertz's earlier miss. Arteta shares his thoughts on the team's performance and praises their resilience and belief in themselves, proving to be a turning point in the match.
This week's Radar column explores the upcoming match between Manchester City and Arsenal, with a focus on the highly anticipated clash between young stars Erling Haaland and Gabriel. While Haaland made headlines with his fiery exchange with Mikel Arteta, his battle with Gabriel on the field is what sparked the feud. The column also delves into other intriguing storylines such as Archie Gray's versatility for Tottenham and Andoni Iraola's innovative approach to defense for Bournemouth. Don't miss the action, watch Arsenal vs Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday.