The Fate of Sri Lankan Players at the IPL 2026 Auction

 In yesterday's player auction for the Indian Premier League cricket tournament scheduled to be held in 2026, the inclusion of two Sri Lankan players among the fifteen most valuable players was a significant event.

Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan player who garnered the most attention, managed to secure the second-highest value in the entire auction, and he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for 180 million Indian Rupees (INR 18 Crores).

For Pathum Nissanka, who was presented for this auction for the first time, the Delhi Capitals team placed a bid of 40 million Indian Rupees (INR 4 Crores), exceeding his base bid of 7.5 million Indian Rupees (INR 75 Lakhs), and secured him.

Wanindu Hasaranga was also sold in this auction, with the Lucknow Super Giants acquiring him for his base price of 20 million Indian Rupees (INR 2 Crores).

However, Sri Lankan players presented for this auction, namely Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando, and Travin Mathew, were not bought by any team.

Although not presented in the auction, under the player retention system, Nuwan Thushara is set to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ishan Malinga and Kamindu Mendis for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Dushmantha Chameera for Delhi Capitals.