LPL 2024: Matheesha Pathirana becomes the most expensive player in the history of Lanka Premier League

Sri Lanka star Matheesha Pathirana has become the most expensive player in the history of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as Colombo Strikers have secured his services for the upcoming season.

The Colombo-based outfit has signed the right-arm pacer for US$ 120,000. He was one of the biggest names in the auction pool and several teams tried their best to sign him up before Colombo Strikers re-signed him through the right-to-match card.

Matheesha Pathirana's base price was set at US$ 50,000 and Dambulla Thunder started the bidding at US$ 70,000. Galle Marvels soon joined the race and shattered the LPL record by taking the pacer's price to US$ 100,000. Galle were so desperate to sign up Matheesha Pathirana that they increased their own bid to US$ 120,000.

However, they were eventually left disappointed as Colombo Strikers decided to exercise the right to match and signed up the Sri Lanka star. The record for being the most expensive player in the history of the LPL was previously held by Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka. The left-arm pacer was signed up for US$ 92,000 by Jaffna Kings in the last auction.

Matheesha Pathirana lights up IPL:

Matheesha Pathirana has become one of the hottest properties in T20 cricket after his heroics in the IPL. He was signed up by Chennai Super Kings in 2022 and has been with them since then. In 2022, he played just two games before finally announcing his arrival in the IPL last year.

In 12 games, Matheesha Pathirana picked up an impressive 19 wickets and played a key role in CSK's triumphant campaign. He impressed one and all not only with his wicket-taking abilities but also his ability to bowl economical spells. The 21-year-old looked in good form in the ongoing season as well but his campaign was marred by injuries.

He could play only six games in IPL 2024 before being ruled out due to a hamstring injury. In those 6 games, Pathirana picked up 13 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 8. He is likely to be retained by CSK ahead of the upcoming IPL mega auction.