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Pathirana Not Bowling Worse, Batters Are Playing Him Better: CSK Bowling Coach
Follow UsMuch has been spoken about how Pathirana’s changed action has contributed to his downfall — his ER is 10.7 since the action change
At INR 13 crore, 22-year-old Matheesha Pathirana was one of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) top retentions heading into IPL 2025, and the young Sri Lankan’s stellar showing across his first three seasons, where he had established himself as an X-factor, warranted that hefty amount.
However, IPL 2025 has seen Pathirana go from X-factor to liability as the right-armer has endured a shocking season thus far, taking just nine wickets at an economy of 10.40. On April 30 (Wednesday), CSK crashed out of IPL 2025 with a loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS), and a main reason behind the loss was Pathirana, who went for 45 runs off his four overs, helping Punjab kill the chase.
Much has been spoken about how Pathirana’s changed action has contributed to his downfall — his ER is 10.7 since the action change towards the end of last year — but CSK’s bowling coach Eric Simmons defended Pathirana, claiming that he’s pretty much at the same level he was in the past few seasons, with the only difference being that batters are now playing him better.
“There are a few things. I think it’s been quite well documented that there was a bit of an action change. But I think he’s pretty much back to where he was, just in terms of the height of his arm on a reasonably consistent basis,” Simmons said after the Punjab Kings' loss.
“I’m not sure that he’s less accurate. I think batsmen are playing him a lot better. We can certainly see a trend in the way that batsmen are playing against him, particularly against Mumbai the other day. The technique that they’re using, they understand what he plans or what he does.
“Evolution might just be what’s next for him, tactically—what he needs to do to keep evolving. Batsmen need to keep evolving. Bowlers need to keep evolving.”
Pathirana has bowled 56 wides since the action change, more than any other bowler in the world during the same timeframe. He is also the only bowler in IPL 2025 to bowl over 30 wides.
However, Simmons insisted that there are no concerns with Pathirana’s accuracy.
“Again, to note: his channels are quite good. His lines are quite good. Obviously, he’s got his lengths—he’d prefer a fuller length. But the batsmen are treating him differently this year,” the CSK bowling coach said.
“So it’s about the evolution of him. If you check his accuracy, it’s not necessarily a reflection of the runs that he’s conceded. I don’t know.”