RR vs CSK: Matheesa Pathirana terrorizes Riyan Parag, clean bowled him with yorker after hitting on painfully on elbow

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RR vs CSK: Chennai Super Kings' fiery pacer Matheesa Pathirana proved once again why he is one of the most lethal bowlers in the IPL 2025 season. The Sri Lankan speedster rattled Rajasthan Royals' skipper Riyan Parag with a bruising short delivery before cleaning him up with an unplayable yorker, marking a dramatic end to Parag's fighting knock in Guwahati.

The high-octane moment unfolded in the 18th over of RR's innings. Having already removed Shimron Hetmyer earlier, Pathirana steamed in with his slingshot action, delivering a sharp, short-pitched delivery that crashed into Parag's right forearm.

The young batter immediately dropped his bat and clutched his elbow in visible pain, grimacing as he walked off to the side of the pitch. The physio rushed in, offering treatment as Parag took a moment to recover. Despite the setback, he signaled his intent to continue, showing great resilience.

But Pathirana was far from done. On the very next ball, he unleashed a scorching yorker that curled in late and uprooted the off-stump. It was an absolute peach of a delivery-full, fast, and dipping right at the base of the stumps, leaving Parag with no chance of survival as he attempted an across-the-line slog. The bails went flying, and CSK erupted in celebration, knowing they had broken a crucial partnership at a vital juncture.

Parag walked back for a valiant 37 off 28 balls, having struck two sixes and two boundaries, but the damage inflicted by Pathirana's pace was undeniable. His dismissal triggered the final phase of RR's collapse, as Rajasthan could only muster 182/9 despite Nitish Rana's blistering 81 earlier in the innings. Pathirana ended with two wickets, his spell proving instrumental in restricting RR to a chaseable total.

CSK's decision to bowl first had already reaped rewards, with their bowlers maintaining pressure throughout. Pathirana, who had been expensive earlier, came back strongly in the death overs to dismantle RR's lower order. His express pace, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to deliver under pressure once again highlighted why he remains one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in the league.

For Rajasthan, Parag's dismissal not only halted their momentum but also exposed their recurring middle-order frailties. His battle with Pathirana was a brutal reminder of the fine margins in T20 cricket, where one over can flip the script entirely. Pathirana's fiery spell ensured that CSK carried the advantage into the second innings, setting the stage for a thrilling chase at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.