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IPL 2026 auction: CSK betray Matheesha Pathirana with 'zero' bid; KKR bag SL ace for 18 Cr

Sakshi Sharma

Matheesha Pathirana (Source: AFP)Matheesha Pathirana (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) did not place a single bid for Matheesha Pathirana, bringing an end to their four-year association with the Sri Lankan fast bowler at the IPL 2026 mini auction.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) entered the bidding late and used their financial strength to sign Pathirana for a huge sum of ₹18 crore. The 22-year-old Sri Lankan pacer had set his base price at ₹2 crore but attracted massive interest from multiple franchises.

KKR secure death-overs specialist for ₹18 Crore

Throughout the bidding process, CSK showed no interest in bringing back their former star. During the auction, Delhi Capitals (DC) started the bidding, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) continued to raise the paddle aggressively, pushing the price past ₹15 crore.

Just when it appeared that LSG might secure the pacer, Kolkata Knight Riders entered the contest at around ₹17 crore. KKR’s late entry changed the course of the auction as they outbid LSG and sealed the deal at ₹18 crore.

With this signing, KKR have added a proven death-over specialist to their bowling lineup. Pathirana now begins a new chapter in his IPL career and is expected to play a crucial role in KKR’s plans for the 2026 season. 

It is important to mention that with this after this he became the joint third-highest expensive pacer in IPL history - Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore), Pat Cummins (Rs 20.5 crore) and Arshdeep Singh (Rs 18 crore).

Matheesha Pathirana made his IPL debut in 2022 with CSK. He played only two matches in his first season, but his career took off in the following year. In the 2023 season, Pathirana played 12 matches and picked up 19 wickets, becoming one of CSK’s most reliable bowlers, especially at the death.

Just a day before the IPL 2026 auction, Pathirana reminded everyone of his match-winning ability with an outstanding performance in the ILT20 league in the UAE. The young Sri Lankan fast bowler produced a brilliant spell, picking up 4 wickets for just 19 runs in three overs.