Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were keen to sign Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana in the IPL 2026 mini auction after strong support from captain Rishabh Pant. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka said that Pathirana was his top target, and had raised his bid to ₹17.8 crore before the franchise reached its financial limit.
Pathirana was one of the biggest attractions at the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. After entering the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, he attracted interest from several franchises. Delhi Capitals (DC) and LSG made bids before Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed him for ₹18 crore.
Pathirana was released by Chennai Super Kings after the 2025 season. However, he became one of the most expensive buys at the auction. Notably, CSK did not try to sign him for the upcoming season, leaving fans surprised.
Rishabh Pant was very curious about Mathisha Pathirana – Sanjeev Goenka
Sanjeev Goenka said that Lucknow Supergiants wanted to sign Mathisha Pathirana. Goenka said that missing out on Pathirana proved to be good in the end, as LSG was later able to sign Anrich Nortje at his base price.
Speaking to broadcaster JioStar, Goenka said, “Yes, both our captain and vice-captain were very keen in Mathiesha Pathirana, as was I. We were also very interested in Anrich Nortje. Pathirana was our priority, and we reached Rs 17.8 crore, which was our absolute limit – we didn’t have the purse to go beyond that.”
He further added, “When Anrich Nortje came in later, we were pleasantly surprised and happy to secure him at the base price. So overall, it was a very deliberate, solid and well-thought out decision.”
Mathisha Pathirana has faced injury concerns in recent seasons. In IPL 2024, he took 13 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 7.68, before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. He also had to miss the initial matches of IPL 2025 due to injury.
He finished the 2025 season with 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 10.13. Overall, Pathirana has taken 47 wickets in 32 IPL innings at an economy of 8.68. The upcoming season will be his first IPL campaign with a franchise other than Chennai Super Kings.
We are very close to our primary goals – Sanjiv Goenka
Sanjeev Goenka said that Lucknow Supergiants entered the auction with a clear plan and they almost achieved all their main targets. Goenka said the team managed to sign two players from its final shortlist, including Anrich Nortje.
Goenka said, “We are very close to our primary targets. Our main objective was to secure a quality international leg spinner and a reputable international fast bowler. Wanindu Hasaranga was our first choice leg spinner, and for the fast bowling options, it was between Mathisha Pathirana and Anrich Nortje.”
“We are delighted to have secured two players who were part of our three shortlisted players, so we are extremely happy with the way the auction went,” he said.
Players bought by LSG in IPL mini-auction:
Josh Inglis (₹8.60 crore), Mukul Choudhary (₹2.6 crore), Akshat Raghuvanshi (₹2.2 crore), Anrich Nortje (₹2 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (₹2 crore), and Naman Tiwary (₹1 crore).
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