Chennai Super Kings have decided to release Matheesha Pathirana into the auction pool, just a year after retaining him for Rs 13 crore last year. The Indian Express understands that the franchise continues to have concern around Pathirana’s fitness and the sort of impact his slightly remodelled action has caused to his bowling and given the uncertainty, releasing him to the auction pool will give them an opportunity to strengthen the squad. There is however, no guarantee that the franchise would not go for the player at the auctions should he come at a lesser price.
IPL Retentions 2026: LIVE UPDATES
The Chennai Super Kings management met on Friday evening, where there were lengthy discussions with regards to Pathirana. While Rajasthan Royals had sought to include Pathirana as part of the trade deal involving Ravindra Jadeja, CSK had shown restraint. However, the change of heart with regards to Pathirana seems to have come due to his injury history and whether an immediate remedy can be sought. Since undergoing a slight tweak in his action, which has seen his release point go above his original one, he has been wavered in his lines. Since that change, the franchise support staff have seen him at SA20 and last IPL season Pathirana struggle and although they remained optimistic that he would discover his old self, they seem to running short on patience this time.
The Sri Lankan who arrived in the franchise in 2023, made an instant impact in their title winning season, where his ability to land yorkers at 140kmph with a slingy action proving to be an X-factor. However, since then the 22-year-old has been hampered by injuries and drop in form, in particular after his release point was tweaked. Dhoni had thrown a word of caution, saying Sri Lanka Cricket have to manage him, and even called him a pacer suited only for white-ball cricket.
Last IPL season, bowling with a slightly tweaked action, Pathirana appeared a different bowler who struggled to gain control in rhythm and an economy rate of 10.14 from the 12 matches he played. It is learnt that there was a school of thought to retain him for one more year, but overall the franchise felt it is best to let go off him. While Pathirana’s role has been limited to the death overs, Chennai believe they will need another pacer to deliver in the powerplay. With Australia’s Nathan Ellis around to take care of the death bowling, Pathirana’s injury history is understood to have played a big part in their decision to let go.
Apart from Pathirana, the franchise is also set to release Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda and Rahul Tripathi into the auction pool.
Ahead of the retention deadline, the franchise brought in Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going the other way.
