Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dismissed David Warner of the Delhi Capitals on Sunday, March 31, in Visakhapatnam during Match 13 of the IPL 2024 after a breath-taking catch. Warner and his new opening partner, Prithvi Shaw, put on a remarkable opening partnership of 93 runs for the first wicket off 57 balls.
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Before Pathirana’s ingenuity in the field brought him down, the southpaw had reached his half-century off just 32 balls and had put himself up for a serious blow. Using a reverse scoop, the DC opener, who was batting at number 52, attempted to direct Mustafizur Rahman towards the third man. But Warner’s innings were cut short when Pathirana, positioned as a short-third man, made an incredible catch diving to his right. Fans immediately dubbed his attempt the “catch of the season,” as it left everyone in disbelief.
Watch Matheesha Pathirana’s catch here:
𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥
Matheesha Pathirana takes a one hand diving catch to dismiss David Warner who was on song tonight
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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2024
Pathirana did further damage with the ball in his second over, capturing two wickets after making an incredible catch. Mitchell Marsh hit the 21-year-old for a boundary with the third ball of the match, but he bounced back well, breaking his stumps with a fiery yorker bowled at 150 km/h on the very next delivery.
Pathirana took three CSK wickets.
With 135 km/h deliveries bowled in the over, the Australian all-rounder was set up brilliantly and didn’t have much time to react. After two balls, he hit another devastating yorker to Castle Tristan Stubbs (0 off 2), leaving DC reeling at 134/4 after 15 overs. After taking two quick wickets, Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi, decided to take matters into his own hands and made his maiden half-century since his return, scoring 51 off 32.
Pathirana, who finished with figures of 3/31 in four overs, was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over of the innings. DC, in their allowed 20 overs, concluded their innings with 191/5 as a result.