Matheesha Pathirana leaves CSK for KKR; Why Mysore-led think tank went big for Sri Lanka ace

Matheesha Pathirana for CSK - (Source: AFP)

During IPL 2026 mini-auction, Matheesha Pathirana garnered a lot of interest as Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants engaged in a bidding war before Kolkata Knight Riders entered and sealed the deal for a whopping 18 crores. 

Before the auction, Chennai Super Kings released Pathirana to free up 13 crores. However, the injury prone bowler saw a rise in his IPL salary to 18 crores. The right-arm seamer will spearhead KKR's bowling attack for the next-season and this article will shed light on what influenced the three-time winners to buy Pathirana despite his recent struggles and also decoding his records at Eden Gardens. 

Matheesha Pathirana's recent record

Key takeaways

• Pathirana has had a poor year since IPL 2025 as he featured in tournaments across the globe, failing to create an impact. However, he is currently featuring in ILT20, where he seems to have regained his lost influence and has already picked up 4 wickets in two innings.
• Throughout the year, Pathirana struggled with injury woes, which reflected in his performance. However, in ILT20 2025, the right-arm seamer seems to be fit and free of any discomfort. Pathirana bowled with an economy of 7.50 and with a strike-rate of 12.00, which might have influenced KKR to go after the right-arm seamer.

Matheesha Pathirana's record vs KKR and also how he has performed at Eden Gardens

Overall, Pathirana has played 32 innings, picking up 47 wickets. He boasts an economy of 8.68 and a strike-rate of 14.94. Out of his IPL records, let's look at how he has performed vs the Knight Riders.

Pathirana's performance vs KKR

Interestingly, Pathirana has a very poor record against Kolkata Knight Riders and has picked up just 1 wicket in three innings. Further, he averages a whopping 89 with the ball and a poor strike-rate of 66.00. 

Let's look at Pathirana's record at Eden Gardens.

Even at the Eden Gardens, Pathirana has a poor record and has only one wicket in two games. Further, he has leaked 66 runs in eight runs, going for at a strike-rate of 48.00.

Why did KKR buy Pathirana despite poor record vs them?

Despite recent poor record, it doesn't make Matheesha Pathirana a bad bowler as the right-arm seamer continues to be a top-talent and a genuine wicket-taking option. During IPL 2025, KKR lacked a wicket-taking bowler, who can bowl at start and also in the death.

Further, there were limited overseas capped options available at the auction, who are genuine wicket-taking options, which is why the Knight Riders went after the former CSK star bowler. 

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