Why CSK turned down trade requests for Matheesha Pathirana but still released him from the squad

The release of Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who had invested heavily in the young pacer and even retained him for Rs 13 crore before the 2025 season, surprised everyone by letting him go.

What confused fans even more was that CSK rejected multiple trade requests for Pathirana, only to release him later.

According to RevSportz, CSK had already informed Pathirana about his release almost a week before the retention deadline. So it was not a sudden, last-minute decision. But the question is why didn’t CSK trade him when they had the chance after they had already decided to move on?

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When CSK opened talks with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a trade involving Sanju Samson, RR asked for Pathirana in return. CSK declined and gave Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran instead. Something similar happened with Punjab Kings (PBKS) during their discussions for Marcus Stoinis. PBKS reportedly wanted Pathirana as part of the deal, but CSK again turned down the request.

CSK CEO explains the decision

This contradiction has led to a lot of speculation, and now CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has offered an explanation. He said the franchise wanted to enter the IPL 2026 auction with a big purse, especially after making two major trades. The management felt that freeing up more money would help them build a stronger overall squad.

“We wanted to enter the auction with a substantial purse. We had already made tough calls by trading out Jadeja and Curran. Sanju Samson came at ₹18 crore. Given the kind of combination we are trying to build, the management collectively felt that a bigger purse would give us a better chance to construct a stronger squad," Kasi told RevSportz.

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He also said CSK would still try to buy back Pathirana at the auction—but only if the price is reasonable. “Whatever we do will always be in the best interests of the team. We will try to get him back but it will depend on how the auction pans out,” Kasi added.

Pathirana saw a lot of success during his time at CSK. He took 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches and was a key part of the team’s title run in 2023. However, his last two seasons were not the best. In IPL 2025, he picked up just 13 wickets from 12 matches and also gave away runs at more than ten per over.

Despite the dip in his form, many teams are expected to target him in the upcoming auction. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who now have a big purse after releasing several star players, have already held informal talks with Pathirana. Delhi Capitals are also believed to have big interest in the Sri Lankan pacer. With so much competition, it is unlikely CSK will get him back cheaply.