Thala’s Tough Call - Matheesha Pathirana released from the squad by CSK, Sri Lanka’s Sling King Up for Grabs in IPL 2026 Auction

Five-Time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are undergoing a massive squad overhaul after two unsatisfactory seasons in 2024 and 2025. They traded Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals, a key member of the team and also loved by the fans a lot, who referred to him as Thalapatty alongside All-Rounder Sam Curran in a trade deal which allowed them to secure the services of swashbuckling opening batter Sanju Samson.

Now, the CSK management have taken yet another big decision regarding the future of a key player. Sri Lanka's slingy king - Matheesha Pathirana who played a key role in Chennai's 2023 title win is all set to be released from the team ahead of the 2026 IPL Mini-Auction. According to the news report of ESPN, the decision has been taken after a lot of rumination over his future with the five-time winners. The Chennai-based team had acquired the 22-year-old ahead of the 2023 edition of the IPL and had retained his services ahead of the 2025-Mega Auction for a massive price tag of 13 crore Indian Rupees.

Pathirana's IPL career and his battles with injuries

Matheesha Pathirana came into the limelight in the 2023 season of the cash-rich t20 league, where his impressive displays with the ball helped Chennai lift the trophy that year. He dismissed 19 batters in 12 appearances at a great economy rate of 8.03. 

However, former skipper of the franchise Mahendra Singh Dhoni had warned the cricket governing body of Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that they would have to handle Matheesha carefully inorder to ensure that he has a long career going ahead. Sadly, the fast bowler struggled with injuries, which affected his performances in the last two seasons.

Chennai Super Kings' worries and Pathirana's recent performances

The 22-year-old pacer last played in the recently concluded edition of the Asia Cup in September of this year. His time in IPL-2024 was cut-short due to a hamstring issue and he left for Sri Lanka mid-way that season. Last season, his performances with the ball were not upto expectations as he maned to pick up just 13 scalps in 12 games at an astonishingly high economy rate of 10.16. Stephen Fleming - head coach of the five-time winners had expressed his worries the pacer's drop in performances last season.

Future ambitions and auction strategy of CSK

Even though Pathirana was released, CSK might think about buying him again at the Abu Dhabi auction on December 16. The team is also one of the few with a sizable budget going into the auction. This is due to their decision to let go of a number of players, including Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway of New Zealand. In addition, they exchanged Sanju Samson for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja with the Rajasthan Royals.

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