Let’s cut through the hype: Kolkata Knight Riders just dropped ₹18 crore on a bowler who barely played last season—and a former Indian captain is calling it a massive mistake. Yes, we’re talking about Matheesha Pathirana, the lanky Sri Lankan speedster whose lightning sling action wowed crowds in 2023… but whose 2025 IPL campaign was defined more by the physio room than the pitch.
Now, after an intense bidding war, KKR has brought him into their fold at a staggering ₹18 crore—making him one of the most expensive buys of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. But according to Krishnamachari Srikkanth, India’s 1983 World Cup hero and former chief selector, this deal could backfire spectacularly. “Pathirana is a huge risk,” Srikkanth bluntly stated. “He’s a hit-and-miss bowler” .
Table of Contents
- The ₹18 Crore Deal: What Happened?
- Matheesha Pathirana IPL Performance: A Tale of Two Seasons
- Srikkanth’s Warning: “Hit-and-Miss Is Not Worth ₹18 Crore”
- Why KKR Bet Big on Pathirana
- The Mustafizur Rahman Safety Net
- Historical IPL Buys That Flopped After One Good Season
- Summary
- Sources
The ₹18 Crore Deal: What Happened?
At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Matheesha Pathirana—despite playing only 3 matches in IPL 2025 due to a side strain—triggered a fierce bidding war between KKR, CSK, and LSG . Eventually, KKR emerged victorious, shelling out ₹18 crore to secure the 22-year-old’s services .
This price tag places Pathirana among the top 10 most expensive players in this auction cycle—above proven performers like Mohammed Siraj and even some established all-rounders .
Matheesha Pathirana IPL Performance: A Tale of Two Seasons
Pathirana’s IPL journey is a classic case of promise versus consistency:
- IPL 2023 (with CSK): 12 wickets in 9 matches at an economy of 8.67. His death-over yorkers and 145+ kph pace made him a fan favorite.
- IPL 2024: Missed most of the season due to international duty and minor niggles.
- IPL 2025: Only 3 games played; managed 2 wickets before a Grade 2 side strain ruled him out for the remainder.
While his ceiling is undeniably high, his floor is worryingly low—especially for a bowler whose action puts immense stress on his core and back .
Srikkanth’s Warning: “Hit-and-Miss Is Not Worth ₹18 Crore”
Speaking exclusively to the media, Srikkanth didn’t hold back: “One good season doesn’t make a player reliable. We’ve seen this before—teams overspend on potential, and when injury strikes, they’re left with a gaping hole” .
He pointed to past examples like Mark Wood (bought for ₹7.6 crore by PBKS in 2022, played zero games) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (₹8 crore for MI in 2018, underwhelming returns) as cautionary tales . “Pathirana has talent, no doubt. But at ₹18 crore, you’re not buying potential—you’re buying certainty. And he doesn’t offer that yet.”
Why KKR Bet Big on Pathirana
So why did KKR take the plunge? Insiders suggest it’s part of a larger strategy:
- Death Bowling Crisis: KKR lacked a genuine pace weapon in the final overs last season.
- Physical Upside: At 6’6”, Pathirana generates steep bounce and skiddy pace—hard to replicate.
- Long-Term Vision: With a new core being built around Rinku Singh and Andre Russell, KKR wants explosive X-factors.
As one KKR official put it: “We know the risk. But if he’s fit, he’s worth 10 players in the death overs” .
The Mustafizur Rahman Safety Net
Crucially, KKR didn’t just buy Pathirana in isolation. In the same auction, they re-signed Mustafizur Rahman for ₹8 crore—a smart, low-risk move that doubles as insurance .
Mustafizur, known for his cutters and consistency, can seamlessly step in if Pathirana’s body fails him again. This dual-pacer strategy shows KKR is aware of the gamble—but is hedging its bets wisely.
Historical IPL Buys That Flopped After One Good Season
Srikkanth’s concerns aren’t unfounded. History is littered with “one-season wonders” who crashed after big-money deals:
| Player | Team | Price | Season | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockie Ferguson | KKR | ₹8 crore | 2022 | Played 2 games; injured |
| Kagiso Rabada | DC | ₹9.4 crore | 2024 | Average SR; dropped mid-season |
| Harry Gurney | KKR | ₹4.8 crore | 2019 | Never played due to injury |
The pattern is clear: pace + high price + injury history = high volatility.
Summary
The Matheesha Pathirana IPL saga is a high-stakes gamble that encapsulates the modern IPL: big dreams, bigger risks. While KKR sees a potential death-over assassin worth ₹18 crore, critics like Srikkanth see a “hit-and-miss” liability with a troubling injury record. With Mustafizur Rahman as a backup, KKR has built a safety net—but if Pathirana stays fit and rediscovers his 2023 magic, this deal could look like genius. If not, it may go down as one of the riskiest buys in IPL history.
Sources
- Times of India: Original Article
- Srikkanth’s comments on Pathirana’s reliability, Dec 2025
- “KKR secures Pathirana for ₹18 crore in IPL 2026 mini-auction”
- “Pathirana’s IPL 2025 injury timeline”, ESPNcricinfo
- ESPNcricinfo – IPL Auction Tracker & Player Stats