Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is preparing to release the Sri Lankan fast bowler. Mathisha Pathirana From the team before IPL 2026. The franchise had bought the rising fast bowler ahead of IPL 2023, then retained him for Rs 13 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
Pathirana rose to instant prominence in 2023, taking 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.01 during CSK's title win. His fast pace and ability to swing the ball with a sling action made him a promising prospect; However, his returns declined due to changes in his bowling action due to injury.
His time at CSK was cut short in 2024 due to a hamstring injury, as he featured in only six matches, taking 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.68. He then left the SA20 tournament midway through the same year representing the Joburg Super Kings.
Pathirana, who last featured in the Asia Cup in September, played 12 matches in IPL 2025, returning below-average returns by taking 13 wickets at an economy of 10.14. During the same season, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming had expressed concerns about the youngster's diminishing impact, highlighting changes in his bowling action and release point.
“In Pathirana, South Africa (SA20), he was way off. And yes, there was an issue with his action and that could be a question for Sri Lanka cricket,” Fleming said in a press conference, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “But we will definitely try to get him back into form and get him back into the position we feel is his best action and his best chance to perform well.
“He's not far off. He's improved massively in the two months since South Africa. And we just hope he keeps that improvement as part of his development; he's going to try things, and he's going to be asked to try things, and he'll at some point settle on the course of action that will give him the best results.”
As the situation stands, the franchise has decided to let him go ahead of the December 16 auction in Abu Dhabi. That said, CSK can potentially buy him back at a reasonable price.
Apart from Pathirana, CSK have released top-order batsmen Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, while they have traded all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson.
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