sri lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana He is sure to be one of the major names in the IPL 2026 mini-auction after being released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The right-arm fast bowler was retained by CSK for Rs 13 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, but this time he was surprisingly released.
Pathirana has been a part of the IPL since 2022 and has represented the five-time champions in all four seasons. He has taken 47 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 21.61. His performance dropped off in the previous season, where he played 12 matches, often as an impact player, taking only 13 wickets with an economy rate over 10.
Despite this, he has produced match-winning performances in many important games, making him a valuable asset. CSK's decision to release him comes after consistently supporting him throughout the season. Although his overall performances have been average, his ability to turn games at crucial moments keeps him in demand.
AI predicts Mathisha Pathirana's IPL 2026 team and final bid price
| scenarios | Team | Last Bid Price (INR) |
| 1 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 10 – 12 crores |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 7 – 9.5 crores |
According to AI, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the frontrunners in the race for Pathirana. With the largest available purse of Rs 64.30 crore and a clear need for a specialist death over bowler, KKR has the financial strength to aggressively outbid other franchises, which could potentially secure Pathirana at the higher end of his estimated value.
CSK may try to re-acquire him at a price lower than his retention of Rs 13 crore, as their primary focus will now be on all-rounders after the trades of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Their limited budget means they could aim to sign Pathirana for less than Rs 10 crore.
Other franchises including Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants may also show interest. DC could benefit from the addition of a young foreign fast bowler to their attack with the addition of Mitchell Starc, while LSG, which mainly relies on young Indian fast bowlers, will gain experience and foreign support through Pathirana. His inclusion could play a decisive role in shaping the pace attack of these teams in IPL 2026.
Disclaimer: The predictions in this article are based on AI analysis and are completely hypothetical. They are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Projected teams and bid values for David Miller in IPL 2026 may not reflect actual results, and CricTracker is not responsible for any discrepancies,
Get every cricket update! Follow us,
Leave a Reply