IPL 2026: CSK set to release Matheesha Pathirana

Published - 15 Nov 2025, 13:50 IST | Updated - 15 Nov 2025, 13:53 IST

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to release Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana from the team ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise had bought the emerging pacer ahead of IPL 2023, then retained him for INR 13 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

Pathirana shot to prominence immediately in 2023, scalping 19 wickets at an economy of 8.01 in 12 encounters in CSK’s title-winning run. His nippy pace and ability to swing the ball with a slingy action made him a promising prospect; however, the injury-enforced alteration in his bowling action led to a decline in his returns.

A hamstring injury cut short his time at CSK in 2024, as he featured in only six matches, taking 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.68. He then left midway through the SA20 tournament the same year while representing Joburg Super Kings.

Pathirana, who last featured at the Asia Cup in September, played 12 fixtures in IPL 2025, managing below-par returns of 13 wickets at an economy of 10.14. During the same season, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming had expressed concern about the youngster’s dwindling impact while highlighting changes in his bowling action and release point.

"Pathirana, in South Africa (SA20), he was way off. And yes, there was an issue with his action and that might be a question for Sri Lanka Cricket," Fleming had said in a press conference, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "But we'll certainly look to try and get him back into form and get him back to what we think is his best action and his best opportunity at performing well.

"He's not far away. He's made a massive improvement in the two months since South Africa. And we just hope he keeps making that improvement part of his evolution; he is going to try things, and be asked to try things, and he'll settle at some point on an action that will give him the best results."

As it stands, the franchise has decided to let him go ahead of the December 16 auction in Abu Dhabi. That said, CSK could potentially buy him back at a fairer price.

Sanju Samson joins CSK, Ravindra Jadeja returns to RR

3part from Pathirana, CSK have released top-order batters Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, while they have traded all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson.