Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) launched Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana forward of the IPL 2026 public sale. The ten franchises revealed their retentions and releases on Saturday, November 15.
Matheesha Pathirana was retained for a hefty worth of ₹13 crore for the 2025 season. Nevertheless, he couldn’t ship as per expectations whereas getting back from harm. Pathirana picked up 13 wickets from 12 video games at a median of 32.61 and an economic system of 10.13. He additionally struggled together with his accuracy and contours.
The pacer performed a key function in CSK’s triumph in 2023, selecting 19 wickets from 12 matches at a median of 19.52. Whereas his impression might have diminished final season, the five-time champions might discover the opportunity of shopping for him again at a lesser worth within the upcoming public sale as nicely.
He has performed 32 video games within the IPL up to now and has bagged 47 wickets at a median of 21.61 and an economic system of 8.68.
Ought to CSK keep on with their name of transferring away from Matheesha Pathirana, listed below are the three groups who ought to goal him within the IPL 2026 public sale.
#3 Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans launched the likes of Dasun Shanaka and Gerald Coetzee. They retained a powerful core of Indian pacers corresponding to Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and senior professional Ishant Sharma.
Nevertheless, the one notable abroad pacer of their squad stays Kagiso Rabada. Whereas Rabada didn’t play all the season final 12 months and featured in simply 4 video games, the Titans discovered it tough to fill the abroad pacer slot of their 11.
They rotated round Coetzee and Karim Janat, who have been each ineffective within the restricted video games they performed. Subsequently, they are going to be eager to search for a strong backup for Rabada within the squad. Given his expertise and previous efficiency within the IPL, Matheesha Pathirana might be an possibility the Titans ought to discover to bolster their abroad tempo assault.
#2 Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG)
Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG) struggled with their quick bowling final season. They’d a depleted tempo assault with plenty of their Indian bowlers injured. Whereas they acquired Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar through trades, they don’t have an abroad pacer of their line-up.
They launched Will O’Rourke and Shamar Joseph, the one two overseas pacers that they’d final season. That stated, Matheesha Pathirana is somebody they might desperately have a look at by way of an abroad quick bowler.
Whereas Shami specialises bowling within the powerplay, Pathirana can complement the assault nicely, given his skill to bowl on the demise. Subsequently, it might give their tempo assault some much-needed stability that they lacked final season.
#1 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may also be looking out for an abroad pacer of their line-up. They launched the likes of Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, and Andre Russell.
The likes of Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora can share the brand new ball tasks for the Knight Riders, however they are going to want somebody to bowl on the demise with Russell gone and Mitchell Starc not being a part of the workforce after the 2024 season.
Together with his slingy motion and skill to bowl yorkers, having bowled on the demise below stress beforehand, Matheesha Pathirana can be on their radar heading into the IPL 2026 public sale. His inclusion might give them the right mix of Indian pacers with a skilful abroad fast within the combine.
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Edited by Rishab Vm
