- Nationality
Sri Lanka- Cricket
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Current Team
- KKR
Renowned globally as “Baby Malinga” for his distinctive sling-shot action, Matheesha Pathirana is the premier death-overs specialist of the modern era. Born on December 18, 2002, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the right-arm speedster has become a viral sensation for his ability to fire 150 kmph+ yorkers with pinpoint accuracy.
Entering the 2026 season, Pathirana has made history as the most expensive Sri Lankan player in IPL history. After a legendary stint with Chennai Super Kings, he was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering ₹18 Crore in the December 2025 mega-auction, solidifying his role as the leader of the Knights’ pace attack.
Matheesha Pathirana: Player Profile
Option 1: Narrative & Breakthrough Style (Best for Player Bio)
Matheesha Pathirana: The Evolution of a Death-Over King
Matheesha Pathirana’s journey from Trinity College, Kandy, to becoming an IPL multi-millionaire is a masterclass in raw talent. Spotted by MS Dhoni via a viral social media video, Pathirana debuted for CSK in 2022, dismissing Shubman Gill on his very first ball. His breakout 2023 season, where he claimed 19 wickets, made him the youngest overseas player to win an IPL title. Known for a low-arm release that makes his 145+ kmph bouncers and yorkers nearly impossible to read, Pathirana has now moved to KKR to take over the mantle from the outgoing Andre Russell. Under the guidance of the KKR coaching staff, the “Slinging Sensation” is poised to turn Eden Gardens into a fortress of toe-crushing yorkers in 2026.
Option 2: News Style (Best for a2news24.com)
KKR Break the Bank for Matheesha Pathirana in Record ₹18 Crore Deal
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have sent shockwaves through the league by securing Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 Crore at the IPL 2026 auction. Pathirana, who set his base price at ₹2 Crore, saw his value skyrocket after an intense bidding war between KKR, DC, and LSG.
Despite a fitness-marred 2025 season where he took 13 wickets in 12 games, Pathirana’s “X-factor” remains undeniable. He enters the 2026 season in peak form, recently delivering a match-winning 4/19 in the ILT20. With KKR aiming to fix their historical death-bowling struggles, the addition of Pathirana alongside Cameron Green and Harshit Rana creates arguably the most dangerous pace battery in the competition.
Option 3: Short & Dynamic (Best for Social Media/Sidebars)
Baby Malinga is a Knight! 💜 Matheesha Pathirana joins KKR!
150 kmph speed? Check. Lethal yorkers? Check. Record-breaking ₹18 Crore contract? Absolutely! Matheesha Pathirana is officially ready to bring his “Slinging Magic” to the Eden Gardens for IPL 2026. After winning the trophy with CSK and becoming a global T20 icon, the Sri Lankan speedster is set to lead the #AmiKKR attack. Watch for the most expensive Sri Lankan in IPL history as he dismantles batting orders this season!
Matheesha Pathirana: IPL Career Statistics
Data consolidated as of January 19, 2026.
Bowling Performance
| Year | Team | Matches | Balls | Runs | WKTS | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR |
| 2025 | CSK | 12 | 251 | 424 | 13 | 3/36 | 32.62 | 10.14 | 19.31 |
| 2024 | CSK | 6 | 132 | 169 | 13 | 4/28 | 13.00 | 7.68 | 10.15 |
| 2023 | CSK | 12 | 278 | 371 | 19 | 3/15 | 19.53 | 8.01 | 14.63 |
| 2022 | CSK | 2 | 41 | 52 | 2 | 2/24 | 26.00 | 7.61 | 20.50 |
| Career | – | 32 | 702 | 1016 | 47 | 4/28 | 21.62 | 8.68 | 14.94 |
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Matches | NO | Runs | High Score | Average | Strike Rate | Catches |
| Career | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 9 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 3 |
| 2022-24 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 |
