The IPL 2026 auction saw one of the most talked about moments Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Sri Lanka spent ₹18 crore on a fast bowler Matheesha Pathiranaa player released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a few months back. Now, KKR co-owner Jahnavi Mehta has revealed the clear thinking behind what many initially labeled as 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 IPL 2025 season – ineffective death bowling.
Talking about the auction strategy in an interview to MyKhel, Mehta explained that the KKR management had reviewed the previous season in detail and found a recurring problem.
“I think one of the key gaps we identified last year was the lack of an experienced death row player and that cost us in a couple of key situations.” he said.
KKR have lost a lot of tight games in the last overs in IPL 2025, where failure to close the innings proved costly. Defining this specific role became the franchise’s top priority in 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 only that patirana and Mustafizur Rahman were looking for KKR to match their profile.
“With such a limited supply, only Pathirana and Mustafizur really fit the IPL profile with proven death bowling experience” he said.
With almost every franchise looking for a reliable finisher with the ball, KKR expected intense bids. Their internal valuation hovered around ₹15-16 crore, but they were willing to stretch further to avoid missing out.
Why did KKR push for ₹ 18 crore for Pathirana?
As the offers piled up, KKR decided to step outside their initial comfort zone.
“Everybody wants a reliable deathmatch, so we knew it would be around 15-16 crores. We pushed a bit more because it was a top priority, stretching to 18 crores and we were able to secure it.” Mehta explained.
The franchise believes the high price reflects scarcity rather than overvaluation, especially in a league where lethal specialists can directly change results.
Also READ: How long will KKR’s ₹ 9.2 crore pacer Mustafizur Rahman be out of IPL 2026 – Inside details
Why CSK dropped Pathirana and why KKR still believe in him?
CSK released Pathirana after a modest 2025 season to free up around ₹13 crore in the wallet. However, KKR are backing the bowler’s previous work, especially the outstanding IPL 2023 campaign where he took 19 wickets in 12 matches and was instrumental in CSK’s title win.
Pathirana’s Lasith Malinga-style movement, extreme yorker accuracy and raw pace are skills that KKR see as rare commodities in the current market.
KKR also believes Pathirana’s skill set is tailor-made for Eden Gardens, where flat pitches and short boundaries regularly produce high-scoring contests.
In such places, a bowler who can nail yorkers under pressure becomes indispensable. KKR see Pathirana as a potential match-winner in tight overs, capable of defending fine overs or stopping late chases.
