Is it The Undertaker? Shivam Dube questions Matheesha Pathirana ...

CSK's new bowling hero Matheesha Pathirana has grabbed the spotlight with his slingy action and incredible yorkers. The Sri Lankan fast bowler is also becoming a broadcaster's favourite because of his ability to add to the theatre in an IPL match every time he gets a wicket. Matheesha Pathirana's celebratory gestures have gone viral and the young pacer flaunted them as many as 4 times after hurting the Mumbai batting line-up in IPL 2024 El Clasico on Sunday, April 14.

Matheesha Pathirana has been trying to mimic an iconic Cristiano Ronaldo celebratory gesture by folding his hands near his chest and looking up to the sky. However, quite a few have pointed out that Pathirana's celebration also resembles WWE superstar The Undertaker's iconic eye roll. The 21-year-old Sri Lankan fast bowler seems to have cleared the confusion, once and for all when the question was posted to him by CSK batting star Shivam Dube on Sunday.

MI vs CSK: Match report | Highlights

Matheesha Pathirana explained that he is a big fan of Portugal football star Cristiano Ronaldo and he tried to mimic his celebration. However, his inability to close his eyes completely while doing so has led to comparisons to the iconic eye roll of The Undertaker in the WWE.

IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule

"No, it is not the undertaker. I follow Cristiano Ronaldo and try to do his celebration. I try to close my eyes. I can't do that, unfortunately," Pathirana told Dube during their fun interaction at the Wankhede Stadium.

"So that's why you become The Undertaker?" Dube questioned as both the cricketers broke into laughter.

Matheesha Pathirana was in sensational form with the ball on Sunday as he starred in CSK's win against their arch-rivals. The Sri Lankan fast bowler picked up 4 wickets and conceded just 28 runs. The 21-year-old got the wicket of a well-set Ishan Kishan and No.1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav in the very first over of his spell to halt the MI charge in their chase of 207. MI were off to a rapid start with 70 runs in their first 7 overs, but Pathirana got Ishan Kishan to break a dangerous opening partnership.

Pathirana then returned to snap another steady stand, this time between Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma, getting the wicket of the latter in the 14th over of the contest. He then shattered the woodwork of Romario Shephed, knocking the wind out of MI's sails.

MI fell short of the 207-run target by 21 runs as they slipped to their 5th defeat of the season while the Supe Kings continued to remain in the top 4 after securing thief first away win of IPL 2024.