Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs. 18 crore at the IPL 2026 auction on Tuesday.
Delhi Capitals opened the bidding for Pathirana at his base price of Rs. 2 crore, with Lucknow Super Giants joining soon after and pushing the contest beyond the Rs. 10-crore mark.
On the eve of the auction, Pathirana delivered a timely reminder of his quality with a match-winning spell of 4 for 19 in three overs in the UAE’s ILT20, including a wicket-maiden in the PowerPlay. “Actually, I’m getting this feeling after one year,” Pathirana told the host broadcaster after the game. “I struggled a lot in the last few months and worked hard. But I’m still not in my best rhythm but improving and this will improve my confidence. Actually, very good point for us (Nissanka and other Sri Lankans doing well in T20 cricket) and we have a World Cup coming up in home conditions as well. I’m just doing my things and calming myself.”
Kolkata Knight Riders entered the bidding shortly thereafter and secured the 22-year-old for Rs. 18 crore, making him their second big-money signing of the auction after the acquisition of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.
Pathirana has taken 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings at an economy rate of just over eight. Known for his slingy action, he played a pivotal role in CSK’s title-winning campaign in 2023, picking up 19 wickets while conceding runs at an economy of eight.
He was retained by CSK for Rs. 13 crore ahead of the 2025 season but endured a below-par campaign, finishing with 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 10.13. Injury concerns eventually led to his release ahead of the auction.
Published on Dec 16, 2025
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