Former India player turned analyst Saba Karim has shown surprise about the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) releasing Matheesha Pathirana before the IPL 2026 auction as well. He also added that the five-time champions had groomed and mentored the Sri Lankan pace bowler as well. However, Pathirana was among 11 players, including the retired Ravichandran Ashwin, released by CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Saba said, “I actually was surprised because they have really invested heavily in Pathirana. They have groomed and mentored him, and he has delivered for CSK on a number of occasions. The fact remains that Pathirana plays in various global leagues. So he has got enough experience of bowling in these conditions or against top-quality batters. Last season, although he didn’t leave on a very high note, he is such a young and exciting talent. You could have always worked more on him and instilled more faith so that he was able to deliver once more. So that was one of the big surprises for me in terms of release for CSK.”

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However, former India captain Anil Kumble also opened up on this.

“That’s exactly how Chennai is going to go about it, because they need to strengthen not just with the younger lot, which they have done. I know Sanju Samson is still young, but he has the experience of being a part of the IPL for a long period of time, and he has probably played in Chennai more than anywhere else,” he replied. “So, in that sense, he is more a Chennai person. CSK will certainly have to look beyond the aging stars that they have always had. So that’s one thing they have done, moving Ravindra Jadeja to the Rajasthan Royals. Their bowling attack, however, will have to be strengthened, with Pathirana not being there,” Kumble shared.