On the eve of the IPL 2026 auction, Matheesha Pathirana did exactly what a fast bowler with a fragile reputation needed to do. He bowled like the Matheesha Pathirana who used to make batters second-guess and make their life tough in death overs. For what was on display in Sharjah on Monday, it looked like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a mistake in releasing the Sri Lankan pacer, who will turn 23 in two days’ time.
Turning out for Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20, the Sri Lankan sling-arm quick delivered a match-winning spell of 4-1-19-3, dragging the Gulf Giants back every time they threatened to run away with the chase. The off-cutter to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the sharp pace variation to Moeen Ali, and the control under pressure were all reminders of why Chennai Super Kings once fast-tracked him into their XI and trusted him in the toughest overs. He was just 21 years old back then.
For franchises preparing their final IPL 2026 auction boards, this was the kind of last-minute nudge that changes numbers by a few crores. Also, his maiden yesterday was Pathirana’s first maiden in T20s since November 2024 and only his second-ever in his career of 101 T20 games!
Decline of Pathirana that led to release by CSK
Pathirana’s release by CSK came as a shock. This was a bowler who, in 2022, announced himself with 19 wickets at a strike rate of 14.63. In 2023, despite playing only six matches, he was even more destructive, picking up 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68 and a strike rate hovering around 10.
Then came the injuries. A hamstring issue in early 2024, fitness setbacks in SA20, delayed starts to IPL 2025, and recurring illnesses with the national side. The results showed. In IPL 2025, Pathirana managed 13 wickets in 12 games but leaked runs at 10.14 an over. His yorkers missed their mark, the pace dropped, and the fear factor disappeared.
Until this ILT20 outing, his recent T20 numbers were worrying, as he took 24 wickets in 27 games at an economy north of 10, even on non-batting-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka.
Why franchises will still bid hard at the IPL 2026 auction
Despite everything, Pathirana remains rare currency. Slingy pace bowlers who can bowl yorkers at will simply do not grow on trees. He is in the Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Thusara mould. With few proven death-over specialists available at the auction, franchises will look past the injuries and focus on the upside.
That spell for Sharjah Warriorz was not just about wickets. It was about rhythm, confidence, and clarity of execution. If teams believe his body can hold up, Pathirana suddenly becomes a game changer.
Matheesha Pathirana IPL career
| IPL | Inns | Wickets | Best | Avg | S/R | E/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | 2/24 | 26.00 | 20.50 | 7.61 |
| 2023 | 12 | 19 | 3/15 | 19.53 | 14.63 | 8.01 |
| 2024 | 6 | 13 | 4/28 | 13.00 | 10.15 | 7.68 |
| 2025 | 12 | 13 | 3/36 | 32.62 | 19.31 | 10.14 |
| Overall (4) | 32 | 47 | 4/28 | 21.62 | 14.94 | 8.68 |
