Matheesha Pathirana didn't bowl in the batting powerplay for the Chennai Super Kings. And the flying catch to get rid of David Warner was just the beginning for the Sri Lankan seamer. Not long after pulling off the catch of the season contender to dismiss the Delhi Capitals opener, the Chennai Super Kings seamer returned with the ball and claimed two wickets in an over ACA-VCDA Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The right-arm seamer sent back Mitch Marsh (18 off 11) and Tristan Stubbs (0 off 2) in the fifteenth over. Pathirana bowled two unplayable yorkers that clocked 150 kmph and 149 kmph to dismiss Marsh and Stubbs respectively. They were both cast as the 21-year-old produced an over that reminded fans of Lasith Malinga, another Sri Lankan in his prime.
The Art & The Artist 🎨
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2024
Accuracy from Matheesha Pathirana to get 2️⃣ wickets in the same over 🎯#DC are 134/4 after 15 overs
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/8ZttBSkfE8#TATAIPL | #DCvCSK pic.twitter.com/dkHpeDYknD
After sending back the dangerous Stubbs for a duck, Pathirana celebrated by imitating football legend Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'nap' celebration. The Sri Lankan brought both his hands to his chest and closed his eyes for a moment as his teammates came running to appreciate him.
Pathirana finished his spell by picking up three wickets at an economy rate of 7.75
CSK vs DC: WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
Pathirana dismissed Marsh and Stubbs with 150kmph and 149kmph Yorkers. 🤯💥 pic.twitter.com/nGpjEKz4Vc
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 31, 2024
According to reports, Cristiano Ronaldo, during the celebration replicates the position in which he usually takes his nap on team trips.
Pathirana's wonder catch
Earlier, the Sri Lankan speedster took an astonishing catch to dismiss David Warner, who had just scored a fifty. Batting at 52 from 35 balls, Warner tried to play a reverse sweep off Mustafirzur Rahman but was caught by Pathirana.
The left-arm seamer bowled a slower length delivery from over the wicket and Warner connected the reverse sweep well. However, fielding at the short third, the Sri Lankan youngster decided to go for the ball and the fully stretched attempt yielded the result he wanted. A shell-shocked Warner had no option but to walk back as Pathirana managed to hold on to the ball as he came down crashing.
