‘Matheesha Pathirana is a huge risk’: Former India captain cautions KKR after Rs. 18-crore IPL auction buy

Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has voiced his concerns regarding Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) substantial investment of INR 18 crore in Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana at the IPL 2026 auction. Srikkanth believes Pathirana is an unpredictable player.

Pathirana, known for his distinctive bowling style, sparked a fierce bidding war during the auction. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants initially competed for him, but KKR ultimately secured the pacer at a record price, outbidding Lucknow. While Pathirana debuted in the IPL in 2022, he rose to prominence in 2023 as a key player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), claiming 19 wickets. He continued his strong performance the following year, taking 13 wickets in just six matches. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. after CSK retained him for the 2025 season, his impact diminished, with only 13 wickets in 12 games and an economy rate of 10.14. Consequently, CSK released him before the IPL 2026 auction and did not participate in the bidding.

Srikkanth acknowledged KKR's strategic acquisition of Mustafizur Rahman as a backup option, given Pathirana's inconsistent performance. He stated on his YouTube channel that Pathirana carries significant risk as he is a "hit-and-miss" bowler. He was surprised by the price Pathirana commanded and the number of teams vying for him, especially considering his ordinary performance in the previous IPL season. Srikkanth drew parallels to other players like Jake Fraser-McGurk and Devon Conway, who faced exclusion after a single poor season, questioning whether Pathirana's value truly justified such a high bid, particularly from Lucknow Super Giants who pursued him until the INR 18 crore mark.