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Sri Lanka‘s Matheesha Pathirana executed one of the finest catches in the history of the Indian Premier League during the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Visakhapatnam stadium on Sunday (March 31).
Matheesha Pathirana’s spectacular catch off Mustafizur Rahman rivalry
Pathirana’s remarkable catch came in the third league match of the 2024 season, when he dived to his right to intercept a dangerous-looking shot from Delhi’s explosive opener David Warner, who had scored 52 runs off just 35 balls. The catch occurred on the third ball of Mustafizur Rahman‘s over, as Warner attempted a reverse lap but failed to gain enough elevation. Pathirana stretched to his full extent and plucked the ball out of thin air at short third man.
Pathirana’s funny response to a fan post
After the match, Pathirana, known for his active presence on social media platforms, shared multiple stories where fans appreciated his bowling and fielding efforts against Delhi. In one viral post, a screenshot from a platform X showed a user praising Pathirana for his support to a Bangladesh player, despite being Sri Lankan, while another user humorously commented that this was why he did not celebrate the catch. Finding the tweets amusing, Pathirana took to his Instagram story to share his response, writing, “Oh god. But the catch is mind-blowing,”
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Rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players
For those unfamiliar with the context, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players share a bitter rivalry on the field, often engaging in verbal altercations. One notable incident occurred during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where Sri Lankan batter Angelo Mathews was named for a time out by the Bangladesh team. Despite Mathews’ explanation that it was due to a broken helmet, the situation escalated, leading to tensions between the two sides. In subsequent series, both teams celebrated victories with mocking gestures towards each other, reflecting the intensity of their rivalry.
CSK’s loss despite Pathirana’s efforts
In addition to his spectacular catch, Pathirana showcased his bowling prowess by taking three crucial wickets, dismissing Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh and Tristan Stubbs. Meanwhile, Mustafizur, though he claimed Warner’s wicket, struggled with an economy rate of 11.75, conceding 47 runs in his four overs.
Despite Pathirana’s efforts, DC posted a formidable score of 191 for 5. CSK, chasing a target of 192, fell short and managed only 171 for 6, resulting in a 20 runs loss. Mustafizur currently holds the Purple Cap in IPL 2024, having taken seven wickets from three games at an economy rate of 8.83.
