Matheesha Pathirana made a triumphant return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lineup for their second clash in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) against Gujarat Titans on March 26, following his absence in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Pathirana, affectionately dubbed as “our Malinga” by the newly-appointed CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad during the toss, entered the fray in the 9th over of GT’s innings, showcasing his mettle by snatching the crucial wicket of Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat’s top-scorer.
Yet, amidst the excitement of the CSK vs GT match, the spotlight wasn’t solely on Pathirana’s comeback. A video circulating online led many to believe that Pathirana sought MS Dhoni’s blessings by touching his feet during the match. The now-viral video showed Pathirana bending down as Dhoni set the field, with the on-field cameraman obstructing the view.
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But contrary to speculation, the 21-year-old right-arm fast bowler was actually adjusting his bowling mark before the second innings. In fact, he was later seen flipping away the disc.
The misinterpretation stemmed from the video’s angle and the coincidental timing of Dhoni’s hand gesture, which appeared akin to giving blessings, fuelling fans’ assumptions.
Check it Out:
Pathirana Taking Blessings from MS Dhoni Before Bowling is So Wholesome!! pic.twitter.com/xPVFkOrsf4— DIPTI MSDIAN (@Diptiranjan_7) March 27, 2024
Many fans, upon reviewing the viral video, echoed similar sentiments, with one user exclaiming, “Man- he took his marker! My gosh,” while another remarked, “Bas bhai kuch bhi.. He was picking up the bowling marker not bowing down to dhoni,” said another.
Also Read: 10 Dhoni Moments in Viral Twitter Thread are Enough to Prove Why He is the GOAT
Meanwhile, the match unfolded as a riveting spectacle, with exemplary performances setting the stage for CSK’s resounding victory. Shivam Dube’s explosive 51 off 23 balls, Rachin Ravindra’s aggressive 46, and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s composed 46 collectively propelled CSK to a formidable total of 206/6. Deepak Chahar’s precision bowling, which included crucial dismissals like that of GT’s skipper Shubman Gill, further bolstered CSK’s dominance. With figures of 2/28, coupled with Mustafizur Rahman and Tushar Deshpande’s clinical spells, CSK effectively dismantled GT’s batting lineup, restricting them to 143/8.
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