Chennai Super Kings are continuing with their revamp plans and the latest decision from the management is to release Matheesha Pathirana. The Sri Lankan pacer, who was retained at Rs 13 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction, will now be part of the IPL 2026 mini auction.
While there is no official explanation from the Super Kings yet, speculations are that they would try to get back the slingy pacer at a lesser price in the mini auction next month. Pathirana has been an influential part of CSK's bowling unit since his entry at the fag end of the 2022 IPL season.
Pathirana has 47 IPL wickets from 32 games at an impressive economy of 8.68 runs per over and average of 21. Considering that he predominantly bowls at the death, the economy rate is exceptional. However, prior to the 2025 season, Pathirana underwent a remodelling of his bowling action and the results haven't been the same thereafter.
In IPL 2025, Pathirana's economy rate was above 10 runs per over with an alarming increase in wides and no balls. He did pick up 13 wickets but was largely ineffective in his spells. In comparison, his economy rates in the other three seasons were 7.68, 8.01 and 7.61 as he headlined CSK's death bowling plans with aplomb.
Pathirana's release also gives CSK's purse a boost of Rs 13 crore as they seek to rebuild the squad with an eye on the future. Sanju Samson's arrival has solved the problem of a quality top order Indian batter and he also comes with wicket-keeping value and leadership quality.
