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“Dhoni bhai…”: Pathirana pens emotional CSK farewell before heading to KKR for IPL 2026

Aakash Saini

Matheesha Pathirana with CSK teammates [Source: AFP]Matheesha Pathirana with CSK teammates [Source: AFP]

Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been nabbed by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. On the day of the auction, the 23-year-old was acquired by KKR for a lucrative sum of Rs. 18 crores after he was released by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise last month.

With CSK not placing a single bid for Matheesha Pathirana, the prodigious Sri Lankan pacer has now penned an emotional farewell note for the ‘Yellow Brigade’ as he prepares to begin a new chapter with KKR.

Pathirana “forever grateful” to MS Dhoni and CSK

Shortly after Matheesha Pathirana was roped in by KKR at the IPL 2026 auction, the Sri Lanka fast bowler took to his Instagram account and extended his appreciation for the CSK franchise. The speedster looked back at his CSK career, and thanked franchise veteran MS Dhoni and the rest of his teammates for their support.

Matheesha Pathirana wrote:

“From a boy with a dream to wearing yellow with pride. CSK gave me more than just cricket it gave me belief, confidence, and a family I will always cherish. From 2022 till the end of 2025, every moment in yellow shaped me as a cricketer and as a person. I always wanted to finish my last season with CSK on a special note, to give my best till the end and reach 50 wickets for this incredible franchise. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make that happen, but the dream and the effort were always from the heart.”


“I am forever grateful to Dhoni bhai for the guidance and trust, Kasi sir and the management for believing in me, my teammates for standing by me like brothers, and every loyal CSK fan who supported me through every high and low. Your love meant everything to me.”

Matheesha Pathirana concluded by writing that CSK will always have a special place in his heart, as he preps himself to script new IPL memories with KKR. He added:

“Chennai will always have a special place in my heart. Chennai will always feel like home, and yellow will always have a special place in my heart. With respect, gratitude, and pride, I now turn the page and begin a new chapter with KKR. Thank you, CSK. Thank, you Chennai. Forever grateful.”

Matheesha Pathirana made his IPL debut back in 2022. While he played just two matches that year, the young Sri Lankan speedster had his breakthrough IPL season in 2023, where he picked up 19 wickets in just 12 innings to play a crucial role in CSK’s title triumph.

Pathirana also snared 13 wickets in just six matches in IPL 2024, but an underwhelming outing in 2025 prompted the CSK franchise to release the cricketer just before the IPL 2026 auction.