Ahead of the much-awaited clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League, the Chennai-based franchise have made a blockbuster announcement. They have roped in the junior version of Lasith Malinga, named Matheesha Pathirana, as a replacement for Adam Milne, who has been ruled out of IPL 2022.
Milne played for the Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he bowled only 2.3 overs in that game. Subsequently, he picked up an injury and did not play for CSK in any of the next five matches.
Earlier today, IPL issued the following statement, confirming that Milne will no longer take part in the ongoing season.
“Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed Matheesha Pathirana as a replacement for New Zealand pacer Adam Milne for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Milne suffered a hamstring injury in CSK’s first match against Kolkata Knight Riders and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.”
Not many fans would know that Matheesha Pathirana has played for Sri Lanka in a couple of ICC U-19 World Cup events. He was a part of the islanders’ squad in the 2020 and 2022 editions of the mega tournament.
Pathirana has never played in the IPL before. Either that can work as a surprise factor for CSK or his inexperience could prove to be a disadvantage. This year, the popular player from South Africa U-19 team, Dewald Brevis, also known as Baby AB, has left a good impression in the first few matches.
The Chennai Super Kings fans would hope that Matheesha Pathirana does a similar job for their team in IPL 2022.
Fans on Twitter react as Matheesha Pathirana joins CSK squad in IPL 2022
Here are some of the top Twitter reactions to CSK signing Pathirana as a replacement:
You have baby ABD we have Baby Malinga 🔥pic.twitter.com/ZtvTQGqy7e
Advertisement— MSR (@itz_chillax) April 21, 2022
Baby Malinga 💥💛
AdvertisementWelcome to CSK bud 🙏pic.twitter.com/Y60ZxhT1yN
— Rohan MSDian™🦁 (@Csk_army1) April 21, 2022
Baby AB v/s Baby Malinga
Possible Today ?? pic.twitter.com/UjKN6iQC9X
— Nischal ❤️ (@SlowerOne_) April 21, 2022
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We just had seen Baby AB in the IPL and now we'll see baby Malinga too❤
This is so nostalgic😇#Cricket #CricketTwitter #IPL #IPL2022 #ABDevilliers #LasithMalinga pic.twitter.com/uNmwrIHDId
Advertisement— Sushil Devkota (@SushilSmith49) April 21, 2022
MI- We have Baby Ab
CSK – We have Baby Malinga😂#WhistlePodu https://t.co/6nl97jWMwe pic.twitter.com/6q3zqZV0OuAdvertisement— Hᴀʀʀɪs Bʟᴀsɪʏᴜs (@blasiyus_harris) April 21, 2022
So Baby Malinga joins CSK. How ironic is this!#MatheeshaPathirana #IPL2022
Advertisement— நந்தினி ✩✩ 🎀 🅽🅰🅽🅳🅷🅸🅽🅸 🎀 ✩✩ (@nandhinithinks) April 21, 2022
So baby Malinga is here, we have baby ab in Mumbai 11 and baby Tendulkar in the dugout. Not to forget baby himself in RCB.
Advertisement— Madhusoodhan (@pikadhu) April 21, 2022
Baby malinga in csk https://t.co/9loqCHF66S
Advertisement— Harish (@thebr0kendream) April 21, 2022
CSK replace Matheesha Pathirana the baby Malinga for Adam Milne. We have seen baby ABD and now it's time to see baby Malinga. #IPL2022
Advertisement— Vibinraj (@vibin1021) April 21, 2022
He is literally baby Malinga😮 https://t.co/E7osNdRqoP
Advertisement— Krishna Mittal (@krishnamittall) April 21, 2022
Matheesha Pathirana signs up for CSK. So Baby Malinga comes to IPL now!!! Ready to witness slinga again!!! #WhistlePodu #Yellove
Advertisement— Prashanth (@PrashanthRames6) April 21, 2022
