NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, currently playing in the Abu Dhabi T10, has expressed his excitement and happiness at being retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a whopping Rs 13 crore for the upcoming IPL 2025.
Pathirana, known for his skills as a specialist death bowler, shared his enthusiasm and gratitude for the trust CSK has placed in him, stating that it was his dream when he debuted for the franchise.
“Yeah, really, I’m excited about that, and that was my dream when I debuted for CSK. So yeah, I achieved it, so I’m really happy about that,” said Pathirana.
Pathirana joined CSK in 2022 and has since played 20 matches for the team, taking 34 wickets with an economy rate of 7.88 and a best bowling figure of 4/28.
Despite CSK’s strong performances, the team narrowly missed their playoff chances in 2024, finishing fifth under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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The young bowler also expressed his delight at the prospect of sharing the dressing room with former CSK captain MS Dhoni once again, highlighting the unique experience of playing alongside the legendary cricketer.
“Everyone knows how it will be, so no need to say again. It’s really cool and nice,” he added.
CSK’s strategy for IPL 2025 is likely to focus on blending seasoned players with fresh talent, maintaining the balance that has driven their past successes. Besides Dhoni, their retained players include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Matheesha Pathirana.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction promises high-stakes action, with 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, in contention for 204 available slots. The highest reserve price is set at INR 2 crore, with 81 players opting for this bracket.
