One of the most talked-about topics leading up to the IPL 2026 auction is the release of Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. The talented pacer was surprisingly let go by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who had made significant investments in him and even paid Rs 13 crore to keep him before the 2025 season.
The fact that CSK turned down several trade proposals for Pathirana before releasing him later further perplexed fans.
A report in RevSportz claims that over a week before the retention date, CSK had already notified Pathirana of his release. Therefore, it wasn't an impulsive, last-minute choice. However, given that they had already made the decision to move on, why didn't CSK trade him when they had the opportunity?
Also Read | ‘Dealing with owners who lack cricket experience’: KL Rahul reveals challenges of IPL captaincy - Watch
When CSK began trade discussions with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Sanju Samson, RR asked for Matheesha Pathirana in return. CSK refused and instead offered Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. A similar scenario unfolded with Punjab Kings (PBKS) during talks for Marcus Stoinis — PBKS also wanted Pathirana included in the deal, but CSK once again declined.
After much speculation over this contradiction, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has recently provided an explanation. He claimed that after making two significant transactions, the team planned to go into the IPL 2026 auction with a big purse. The management believed that more funding would enable them to assemble a more formidable team.
Also Read | 'Am I Harmanpreet Kaur?': Bangladesh captain's shocking response to physical assault allegations on juniors
“We wanted to enter the auction with a substantial purse. We had already made tough calls by trading out Jadeja and Curran. Sanju Samson came at ₹18 crore. Given the kind of combination we are trying to build, the management collectively felt that a bigger purse would give us a better chance to construct a stronger squad," Kasi told RevSportz.
Additionally, he stated that CSK would still attempt to buy back Pathirana at the auction, but only at a fair price. “Whatever we do will always be in the best interests of the team. We will try to get him back but it will depend on how the auction pans out,” Kasi added.
During his tenure at CSK, Pathirana experienced great success. In 32 IPL games, he claimed 47 wickets and played a significant role in the team's 2023 championship run. His latter two seasons weren't the best, though. In 12 IPL 2025 matches, he claimed just 13 wickets while conceding runs at a rate of over 10 per over.
Many teams are anticipated to chase him in the auction despite the decline in his performance. Pathirana has already had informal discussions with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who had a sizable purse after releasing a number of prominent players. The Sri Lankan bowler is reportedly of great interest to the Delhi Capitals as well. It is unlikely that CSK will be able to get him back at a reasonable price given the intense competition.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
