Bidding for Pathirana kicked off with Delhi Capitals at his base price of ₹2 crore, but Lucknow Super Giants soon joined in, escalating the contest beyond the ₹10-crore threshold.
KKR quickly entered the mix and ultimately outbid the competition to sign the slingy fast bowler, marking him as their second significant acquisition of the auction, following the signing of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.
Pathirana is recognized for his unique slingy bowling action and has proven to be a valuable IPL contributor, capturing 47 wickets in 32 matches for Chennai Super Kings with an economy rate just above eight. He played a crucial role in CSK’s championship run in 2023, taking 19 wickets while maintaining an economy of eight.
Retained by CSK for ₹13 crore before the 2025 season, Pathirana faced a relatively underwhelming campaign, finishing with 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 10.13. Injury issues during the season ultimately led to his release ahead of the 2026 auction, facilitating KKR’s substantial investment.
First Published: Dec 16, 2025 4:43 PM IST
