When the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced the release of their talismanic seamer Matheesha Pathirana last month, it was a shock. Following strong interest from the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, the Sri Lankan bowler was purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 18 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.
Pathirana chose to compose an emotional letter to his old team, CSK, after joining the three-time champions. The 22-year-old claimed that playing for CSK influenced him both as a person and as a cricket player. He received a 38% pay increase from his previous IPL salary. CSK gave him the faith and self-assurance he needed to succeed during the last four IPL seasons. He also lamented not being able to end his time with the team on a positive note by taking 50 wickets.
The Kandy native took 13 wickets at an average of 32.62 and an economy rate of 10.14 in 12 IPL 2025 games.
“From a young boy with a dream to proudly donning yellow. Beyond cricket, CSK offered me faith, self-assurance, and a family I will always treasure. Every moment I spent in yellow between 2022 and the end of 2025 helped to mould me both as a person and as a cricket player. It has always been my goal to complete my final season with CSK on a high note, to give it my all and help this amazing team to 50 wickets. “The dream and the effort were always from the heart, but unfortunately I couldn’t make that happen,” Pathirana wrote on Instagram.
Pathirana also acknowledged the support he received from the CSK supporters, CEO Kasi Viswanathan, and the great MS Dhoni throughout his highs and lows.
“I will always be thankful to Dhoni bhai for his advice and confidence, Kasi sir and the management for having faith in me, my teammates for supporting me like brothers, and all of the devoted CSK supporters who helped me through every high and low. “Your love meant the world to me,” Pathirana remarked.
I shall always hold a particular place in my heart for Chennai: Pathirana
Pathirana pledged to hold the Men in Yellow close to his heart even though he is prepared to start a new path at KKR. Chennai will always be his home, he remarked, thanking CSK.
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Chennai will always be dear to me. Chennai will always be home, and I will always love yellow. I start a new chapter with KKR with respect, appreciation, and pride. Thanks CSK. Thank you Chennai. Pathirana was forever grateful.
Pathirana now wants to help KKR win again. The shortest format is his forte, with 136 wickets from 101 matches at 21.27 and 8.66 economy.
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