US EditionIPL Auction 2026: Why KKR Paid Rs 18 Crore for Matheesha Pathirana
KKR acquired Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 43.2 crore to strengthen their squad with top overseas talent, including the highest-priced Sri Lankan player ever.
- Dec 16, 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders secured Cameron Green for Rs 25.20 crores and Matheesha Pathirana for �18.00 crore at the Abu Dhabi mini-auction.
- KKR, armed with the largest purse, entered the auction with an INR 64.3 crore purse, targeting the all‑rounder slot and an overseas death-overs specialist to address bowling weaknesses.
- Green sparked an intense bidding duel that saw Rajasthan Royals and CSK push his price past Rs 25 crore before KKR won at Rs 25.20 crore, while Pathirana's auction saw DC and LSG contest until KKR raised the bid from Rs 15.8 to Rs 18 crore.
- The signings immediately strengthen KKR's pace and balance, as Pathirana joins mentors Tim Southee and Dwayne Bravo with Mustafizur Rahman as backup, while Finn Allen, Rahul Tripathi and Cameron Green create a youthful core.
- Those outcomes position KKR as the day's biggest spenders with Cameron Green as the most expensive overseas player and Matheesha Pathirana as the highest-priced Sri Lankan.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Kolkata Knight Riders signed Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 18 crore, strengthening their pace attack
India TV News
IPLT20NEWS.comIPL 2026 auction: KKR secure Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore after fierce bidding war with LSG
Matheesha Pathirana was touted to be one of the biggest picks of the IPL 2026 auction and Kolkata Knight Riders ended up splurging INR 18 crore for the Sri Lankan pacer. Pathirana may not be in the best of form, but he has been a proven player in the IPL, and KKR will hope that he brings his best.
Times of India
The Economic TimesIPL auction 2026 KKR: From Cameron Green to Matheesha Pathirana, check complete players list, final bids
Kolkata Knight Riders entered the IPL Auction 2026 with the largest purse after a disappointing 2025 season. Having retained 12 players and released key figures like Andre Russell, KKR aimed to rebuild their squad with a focus on filling batting, bowling, and leadership gaps. The franchise sought to reset after finishing eighth last season.
IPL 2026 Auction: Pathirana goes to KKR for Rs 18 crore, RCB gets a steal deal in Duffy, Bishnoi heads to RR
Sri Lanka speedster Matheesha Pathirana was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping Rs 18 crore during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction on Tuesday.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
