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The IPL 2026 auction saw one of its most controversial moments when Calcutta Knights Riders (KKR) I splurged ₹18 crore on a Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathiranaa player released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a few months earlier. Today, Jahnavi Mehta, co-owner of KKR, revealed the clear thinking behind what many initially called a risky move.
Jahnavi Mehta explains KKR’s bold call for Matheesha Pathirana
According to Mehta, the decision was not emotional or reactive, but a calculated response to KKR’s biggest weakness in the 2025 IPL season – ineffective death bowling.
Talking about the bidding strategy in an interview with MyKhel, Mehta explained that the KKR management conducted a detailed review of the previous season and discovered a recurring problem.
“I think one of the biggest deficiencies we identified last year was the lack of an experienced death pitcher, and that cost us dearly in several crucial situations.” she said.
KKR lost several close matches in the final overs of IPL 2025, where the inability to close out the innings proved costly. Fixing that specific role has become the franchise’s top priority heading into the mini-auction.
After analyzing the auction pool, KKR felt that the market offered very few reliable death specialists with proven IPL credentials.
Mehta revealed that only pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman fit the profile sought by KKR.
“When supply is so limited, only Pathirana and Mustafizur really fit that proven IPL profile with death bowling expertise,” she said.
While almost every franchise is looking for a reliable finisher with the ball, KKR expects intense bidding. Their internal valuation hovered around ₹15-16 crore, but they were willing to go further to avoid missing out.
Why did KKR push for ₹18 crore for Pathirana?
As the bidding intensified, KKR decided to move beyond its initial comfort zone.
“Everyone wants a reliable Death Bowler, so we knew it would be around 15-16 crore. We pushed a little harder because he was a top priority, stretching to 18 crore, and we managed to secure him,” Mehta explained.
The franchise believes the high price reflects scarcity rather than overvaluation, especially in a league where death specialists can directly change outcomes.
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Why CSK let Pathirana go and why KKR still believes in him?
CSK released Pathirana after a modest 2025 season, partly to free up around ₹13 crore of space in the purse. However, KKR stands behind the bowler’s previous work, especially his remarkable IPL 2023 campaign, where he took 19 wickets in 12 matches and played a key role in CSK’s title run.
Pathirana’s Lasith Malinga-style slinging action, the Yorker’s pinpoint accuracy and raw pace are skills that KKR consider rare commodities in today’s market.
KKR also believes Pathirana’s skillset is tailor-made for Eden Gardens, where the flat pitches and short boundaries regularly produce high-scoring contests.
At such venues, a bowler who can nail Yorkers under pressure becomes invaluable. KKR view Pathirana as a potential winner in close finishes, capable of defending slim totals or stopping late chases.
