IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines in the IPL 2026 mini auction by acquiring Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana for a whopping Rs 18 crore. This makes him jointly the fourth most expensive fast bowler in IPL history, following the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Sam Curran, and Arshdeep Singh.
Pathirana Among IPL’s Most Expensive Fast Bowlers
Here’s a look at the five most expensive fast bowlers in IPL history:
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- Rs 24.75 crore – Mitchell Starc (KKR, 2024)
- Rs 20.50 crore – Pat Cummins (SRH, 2024)
- Rs 18.50 crore – Sam Curran (PBKS, 2023)
- Rs 18.00 crore – Arshdeep Singh (PBKS, 2025)
- Rs 18.00 crore – Matheesha Pathirana (KKR, 2026)
Fans often refer to Pathirana as the “Junior Malinga” due to his bowling style, which resembles that of the legendary Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga. Known for his deadly yorkers and variations, Pathirana brings a similar flair and unpredictability to the IPL.
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Bidding War for Pathirana
Pathirana entered the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Delhi Capitals were the first to bid, quickly followed by Lucknow Super Giants. The two teams engaged in a fierce bidding battle, which continued up to Rs 15.80 crore. Delhi Capitals eventually withdrew, making way for KKR to enter the fray.
KKR went toe-to-toe with Lucknow, matching their bids until the amount reached Rs 18 crore. At this point, Lucknow stepped back, allowing KKR to secure Pathirana for a record sum.
A New Chapter for Junior Malinga
Before the auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had released Pathirana, making him available for other franchises. Now, in IPL 2026, the “Junior Malinga” will don the KKR jersey, adding firepower to their pace attack. Fans will be eager to see how Pathirana performs and whether he can live up to the expectations of being one of the most expensive pacers in IPL history.
With KKR investing heavily in Pathirana, the team clearly aims to dominate the bowling department and maintain a strong challenge for the upcoming season.