Matheesha Pathirana is a dynamic Sri Lankan right-arm fast bowler known for his slingy action reminiscent of Lasith Malinga. Nicknamed "Baby Malinga," the 23-year-old has emerged as a white-ball specialist with explosive pace and yorker accuracy. In IPL 2025, he represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK), his team since his debut in 2022.
In IPL 2025 for CSK, Pathirana shone with 22 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.82, including a standout 4/28 against Mumbai Indians. His death-over prowess was key, claiming 12 wickets in the slog overs, helping CSK reach the playoffs despite a mid-season slump.
For the IPL 2026 auction, capped player Pathirana enters with a base price of ₹2 Cr. Interest is high from defending champions CSK (likely to retain or re-sign), Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, drawn to his proven T20 pedigree amid a bowler shortage.
Expect Pathirana to deliver 20+ wickets in IPL 2026, thriving in pace-friendly venues with improved consistency post-injury tweaks. A realistic auction price: ₹12-15 Cr, boosted by scarcity of genuine death bowlers.
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