In the IPL 2026 auction, Matheesha Pathirana was one of the biggest buys of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The Sri Lankan fast bowler was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹18 crore on December 16, 2025. He attracted heavy interest after being released by the Chennai Super Kings, where his previous price was ₹13 crore.
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants were involved in a fierce bidding war that pushed the price past ₹10 crore, with LSG exiting at ₹18 crore before KKR secured him. With this purchase, KKR recorded two of the highest buys of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, and Pathirana is set to be mentored by Tim Southee and Dwayne Bravo next season.
Matheesha Pathirana boosted his IPL 2026 auction value with a strong performance in the ILT20 just a day before the auction. He listed himself as player number 29 in the fourth set, with a base price of ₹2 crore. Playing for Sharjah Warriorz, the Sri Lankan pacer delivered a match-winning spell of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, and 3 wickets against the Gulf Giants in Sharjah. This was his first T20 maiden since November 2024 and only the second maiden of his 101-match T20 career.
He had earlier impressed in IPL 2022 with 19 wickets at a strike rate of 14.63 and was even more lethal in IPL 2023, taking 13 wickets in six matches at an economy of 7.68. His decline began due to repeated injuries, including a hamstring issue in early 2024, fitness problems during SA20, delayed availability for IPL 2025, and recurring illness with the national team.
In IPL 2025, Pathirana picked up 13 wickets in 12 matches but conceded runs at an economy of 10.14. His recent T20 form before the ILT20 game showed 24 wickets in 27 matches at an economy rate above 10. The ILT20 performance served as a timely reminder of his potential and helped increase his IPL 2026 auction price by a few crores.
Kris Srikkanth Had Predicted Matheesha Pathirana’s Move to KKR before the ₹18 Crore IPL 2026 Auction Deal
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth believed Pathirana is very likely to join KKR at the IPL 2026 auction on December 16. Pathirana played for Chennai Super Kings from 2022 to 2025 and was part of their title-winning campaign in 2023, where he took 19 wickets.
Srikanth pointed out that KKR has a strong chance of signing Pathirana because Dwayne Bravo is part of their setup and had previously trained the Sri Lankan pacer. He also suggested KKR should target Cameron Green and an explosive wicketkeeper-opener.
Srikkanth said Quinton de Kock would be an ideal choice due to his form and experience in Indian conditions, even though KKR had released him earlier. If de Kock is not available, Jonny Bairstow was named as the alternative. But de Kock was sold to the Mumbai Indians for a price of ₹2 crore. KKR had a disappointing IPL 2025 season, finishing eighth with just five wins from 14 matches.
FAQs
Q. How much was Matheesa Pathirana sold for?
A. Matheesha Pathirana was sold to KKR for ₹18 crore in the IPL 2026 Auction.
Q. Which team was Matheesa Pathirana on before joining KKR?
A. Matheesa Pathirana played for the Chennai Super Kings from 2022 to 2025.
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