• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Matheesha Pathirana To Lsg Ex Rcb Coach Drops Huge Hint Before Ipl 2026 Auction

"Matheesha Pathirana to LSG?": Ex-RCB coach drops huge hint before IPL 2026 auction

Jatin

Matheesha Pathirana was relased by CSK [Source: @IPL/x.com]Matheesha Pathirana was relased by CSK [Source: @IPL/x.com]

With the IPL auction just around the corner, the rumour mill has started spinning at full tilt and this time, the buzz is around a familiar slingy name. Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana could land on the radar of Lucknow Super Giants after being released by Chennai Super Kings.

Pathirana’s release raised a few eyebrows. After four straight seasons in yellow, the sling-arm quick is suddenly back in the auction pool. The big day is set for the IPL 2026 Auction, and LSG might just fancy rolling the dice on him.

Sanjay Bangar tips LSG to target Pathirana at IPL auction

Bangar didn’t beat around the bush. According to him, LSG’s main job at the auction table is simple: add more firepower to their fast-bowling unit.

“They can look at acquiring an overseas quick because that is their main need. Maybe, Pathirana would be fantastic. LSG would certainly like to look at somebody like a Pathirana to beef up their fast-bowling department. They would certainly want to have a backup for Digvesh Rathi from an Indian standpoint, but for me, Pathirana could be a good target for LSG going into the auction. Rathi had a very good first season, but can he replicate that?” Bangar said on Star Sports.

Shami deal done but auction plans still open

LSG have already dipped into the trade window and snapped up Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad. On paper, that is a massive move. Experience, skill and plenty of wickets in the bag.

The RPSG Group-owned franchise has retained 19 players and still sits on a healthy purse of INR 22.95 crore. They have six slots to fill, four of them overseas. That is enough wiggle room to go hard for a name like Pathirana if they want.

Pace cupboard already well stocked

As things stand, LSG aren’t exactly short on quicks. They already have Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav and young Prince Yadav, alongside Shami.

They also added Arjun Tendulkar via a trade with Mumbai Indians, sending Shardul Thakur the other way. On paper, it looks stacked. But T20 teams don’t survive on paper alone.

That is where Pathirana fits the bill: raw pace, awkward angles and a knack for breaking partnerships when nothing else works.

Why Pathirana to LSG still makes sense

Apart from his first IPL season, Matheesha Pathirana has been a regular wicket-taker. Between 2023 and 2025, he picked up 55 wickets across three seasons, proving he is more than just a novelty act.

His last competitive outing came for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025, so fitness-wise, he isn’t completely off the radar either.