• Source:JND
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IPL 2026 Auction: The 2024 IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, are examining the possibility of fetching Matheesha Pathirana at the IPL 2026 mini auction, as per a report. Notably, Chennai Super Kings released Pathirana to free 13 crore from their remaining purse. The report in RevSportz suggested that CSK is likely to buy Pathirana back at a lower price; however, KKR's interest in the Sri Lankan pacer could affect their plans.

Interestingly, Pathirana has been associated with CSK for four consecutive seasons. It is also worth noting that CSK first spotted Pathirana and tried to rope him in as a net bowler in the 2020 edition. However, his school didn't allow it happen.

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A year later, CSK wanted him against, but the Sri Lanka Cricket Board prevented the move due to his commitments with the U-19 national team. Finally, in the year 2022, Chennai got him as a substitute for the injured Adam Milne, and Pathirana quickly proved his worth.

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With Pathirana’s rise as an important member of the CSK roster, the management decided against considering any trade offers.

According to media sources, the Rajasthan Royals attempted to acquire Pathirana in exchange for Curran as part of the Jadeja–Samson deal but were refused.

“Whatever we do will always be in the best interests of the team. We will try to get him back, but it will depend on how the auction pans out," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told RevSportz.

KKR's Informal Talks With Pathirana

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The report also stated that KKR's creation of a huge purse ahead of the mini-auction could ring alarm bells for CSK in the upcoming auction. Notably, KKR will enter the auction with 64.3 crore after releasing Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer.

Also, the Delhi Capitals are likely to go for Pathirana as well.

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